Some of my fondest summer memories are of endless summer days filled with ... absolutely nothing. That's right, a day with nothing scheduled offers an unparalleled opportunity for young people to explore, to read, to be creative, to rid themselves of excess energy at the beach or pool.

In our increasingly over-scheduled world, the simple pleasures of free time are often lost. Summer offers young people a break from the pressures of school - yes, even elementary school students often feel real pressure these days - and an opportunity to do something totally unexpected.

The extended daylight hours and warmer temperatures also mean that parents can play a greater part in the lives of their children, getting to know them as individuals, having fun with them in games or in the water, and often just sharing a quiet period to discuss their hopes and fears.

But, for many families, the nostalgia of summer days past is just that: nostalgia. A faster paced life, the dual income families and the desire of many young people to excel in school all combine to rob young people of free time and, sometimes, force them into summer days that are as tightly scheduled as those during the school year.

That said, teachers know that summertime provides many opportunities for reconnecting with kids in meaningful and loving ways that, with a spoonful of teacher sugar, can include exciting learning experiences. Here are a few ideas for you this summer.

Teach you child to cook. Even making simple dishes like Jell-O helps children to feel more competent and confident. Measuring out the ingredients allows them to sharpen their math skills. High schoolers need to prepare for leaving the home for college or work where fixing a meal themselves is both economical and a great way to meet new friends. Best of all, the shared time often results in intimate conversations that strengthen the bonds of love and family.

Teach history - family history. All children love learning of the connections between them and their relatives. Best of all, these family history sessions often involve warm and loving visits to grandparents, aunts and uncles who love to tell stories of their youths and their parents and grandparents. An inexpensive tape recorder or video recorder can capture priceless memories before they are lost to the mists of time. Internet genealogy sites can be used to build family history and boost reference skills in interesting projects.

Encourage reading. Nothing helps boost learning quicker and more effectively than the ability to read and comprehend a wide variety of materials. And it doesn't always have to be books. Pass along interesting stories in the newspaper or in magazines. When something intrigues children on television, propose a Google search to learn more. Throw a book party. Get a few friends together with their favorite books. Read aloud. Illustrate a scene from a book. Provide book-related snacks: bananas for Curious George books, tomato sandwiches for Harriet the Spy and cornbread for Little House books, just to give a few examples. The point is, reading should be fun and interesting, not a chore to be endured.

All of these are low-cost ideas to bring you and your children together to share family life, love and learning ... because they have only one childhood and you don't get a do-over.

Laura Pokorny

President, Plainedge Federation of Teachers