Q. Hi Dawn! I am such a big fan of yours! In a few months, it will be summer already. Can you recommend some summer schools or classes that my kids can attend? I have an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old. I am a working mom and to be honest, my reasons for enrolling them in summer classes are not only for education and skills development, but also a way for them to have adult supervision when I am not around.

Samantha Tiño

A couple of months back, I came out with an article addressing the same question regarding a few activities kids might find fun to do. This second time around I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to address the same inquiry because I felt that there are so many activities out there that kids will find fulfilling and worthwhile to do this coming summer vacation.

With the help of many friends and associates, I came up with a shortlist of activities for your kids. I applaud all parents who take the time off to look into what their children might do this school break. It is very important for children to keep themselves occupied with interesting and fun activities that enhance their brain and physical strength as well as their social development.

I find that physical activities, especially when done at a young age, has a myriad of benefits for adult life. Children as young as 1 year old can already develop their physical and mental abilities as they harness their agility, mobility and balance. These cardiovascular exercises give them a great headstart in combating certain diseases that they might be predisposed to get later in adulthood.

I have heard a lot of good things about Yoga for kids through friends. They say that it is a wonderful remedy for their highly-active kids. Yoga promotes discipline of the mind through breathing exercises and lots of stretching of the muscles. (Pulse Studio in Makati. 0920-9472759, 384-8043/ mara888@aol.com) They can also try gymnastics (Club Gymnastica at 0917-5308448) or to those who wish to bring out the confidence in their shy little daughters, the flamenco at Centro de Danza Flamenca (890-8030, 899-1316 or 0915-4345789/ www.ClaraRamona.com/ info@clararamona.com). You can also try their other classes: Andaluzi Belly dance, Sevillanas and castanet. Maybe your kids prefer the stage, a great way for them to discover their voice and confidence in front of an audience. Check out Music and Movement at the UP College of Music (926-0024 or 984-8500 local 2628 / www.upd.edu.ph).

When I was 8 years old, I dreamed of getting into gymnastics, figure skating or classical ballet. Of the three, I was fortunate enough to learn ballet but sadly, I was not able to pursue it long enough to realize my dream of becoming a prima ballerina. Until just a year ago when I found a teacher who specializes in adult classes. For this reason, I’m so happy to be back on my toes (no pun intended). I call her “Teacher” and she has a dance studio in her own name, Perry Sevidal Ballet in San Antonio Village, Makati. She offers classes in kids jazz and tap, teens jazz, ladies ballet/modern technique and mat pilates. Its eight-week program starts on the last week of March and culminates in a recital at the CCP Main Theater (895-7812/895-1620/ 0917-5255370).

I also recommend taekwondo, an Asian martial art that both girls and boys will surely love. Olympians Taekwondo Training Center (OTTC) is a relatively new school set up by Taekwondo champion Monsour del Rosario in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig (889-5463/www.monsourdelrosario.com).

When Jacobo was just 8 months old, I enrolled him in Gymboree. The mental exercise he had and fine motor skills he honed there gave him great advantage throughout his early years. They offer great summer activities for kids from birth to age 5. They have play activities, arts, music and fitness classes. They also offer other programs: School Skills (introduction to preschool), Global Kids (learning about different cultures of different countries), and Learning Lab (uses Leapfrog school house educational equipments). Very soon, I will also enroll my baby Ayisha in their classes for infants (728-1000/ 728-4769 for Greenbelt 5 branch and 909-7000/ 909-7529 for Serendra).

Jacobo is currently taking soccer lessons under Coach Butch Mondonedo. I have to say that he has enjoyed the game so much that sending him three times a week in the afternoons no longer seems enough for him. I love that children in sports learn a great deal about working hard to achieve goals. They also learn that one doesn’t always win in life. Kids as young as 3 or 4 years old train to become game-oriented teamplayers. They give and take and learn to be good sports (0918-9061249 /0908-5839375).

With a hot and humid weather forecast up ahead this summer time, one of the best things to know is where to cool off. Ria Mackay offers parent and child swimming lessons, a wonderful way to bond with our kids as they conquer their fear of the water (Aqualogic Aquababes classes at Richmonde Hotel, 0928-858278/ 703-6386).

Maybe you’d like your children to practice their skills in the arts and crafts. There are kids who are naturally and effortlessly artistic, and they should be encouraged to discover and rediscover their interests in the arts. For this summer as well as throughout the year, teacher Joanne Francisco (0918-4452445) organizes group sessions. So if you’d like to have your kids go along with their cousins and friends from the neighborhood, just call to set it up.

Another wonderful addition to the subject of craft-making is origami. The fascination of a piece of colorful paper interfolded to end up as a beautiful creation can grab young minds so (Haruko Calderon at 0917-8924492).

Children usually love to use their hands to mold and form things, get wet and dirty, so what better way to do this than by to create yummy treats at The Enderun School for Baking and Cooking (638-5555/visit www.enderunextension.com).

And speaking of getting hands wet and dirty, how about pottery lessons? You can find that at Pettyjohn Mendoza pottery school in Glorietta 4 and Lanelle Abueva (0917-5232356).

If you would like to see more activities that your kids can do this summer, Janice Villanueva gathered all this info and set up a website. Go to http://mommypages.com.ph for a full list.

Hope these ideas will help you map out your summer activities early, Samantha! Thanks for writing.