Class is in Session on the Boat

School looks a little different for students of all ages this year, and we have all had to adapt and find the best way to make sure our kids are learning and we as parents don’t go crazy. The Sea Tow Foundation is encouraging families to take their distance learning to the boat!

Changing up the scenery can make all of the difference. Sitting in the same spot day in and day out can hinder creativity. Even while docked, learning is stimulated through the feeling of the rise and fall of the water or tides.

Learning outside the traditional classroom can help create a richer understanding of some of the subjects covered in daily school lessons. Many marinas offer Wi-Fi and other tools to help provide internet to your location in and around the water. And some boats are also equipped with satellite technology to help you stay connected out on the water.

Where better to learn about tides and weather patterns than on the boat where your child can feel each crest, and time wavelengths as they experience them. All of the laws of physics can be experienced on the water, making it fun and easy to understand. Kids can also learn from the boat itself in how it runs (electricity, batteries, etc.) for power engines and different forms of energy: wind, solar, and power through sails.

Being on the water opens the possibility to see more wildlife compared to being inside at home. Those studying biology, ecology, and other life sciences can search for the animals depicted in their textbooks in the water – or while fishing!

Discuss geography as you sail or motor past islands, pointing out features of the land. Explain the difference between lakes, marshes, and oceans while you are boating across them. And share the history of the water – did any famous people venture across the same waters?

And don’t forget to brush up on your skills as a boater by taking an interactive online boating education class. You can model good learning behavior to your children and also brush up on your skills and refresh your knowledge of your state’s boating requirements. Our friends at Kalkomey Enterprises offer state-approved boating safety courses as well as courses in hunting, scuba diving, snow mobile riding, ATV operation, and drone operation. And many of these courses are available to teens as well. You can find them all online at www.kalkomey.com/education-courses.

Though it seems like education has changed, there are still ways to help your children and you stay on top of the game – while enjoying a beautiful day out on the water.

What would you teach your kids while out on the water? Let us know in the comments.

If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.