Should children do some studying or school work during holidays? See how innocent children develop

Joondalup. As soon as summer or winter holidays begin, many parents start worrying that their children will “forget to even write their names” during the long vacation. Some fear that children will forget multiplication and division and lag behind in studies. In such a situation, parents start wondering whether it would be better to maintain some kind of educational routine during the holidays? The short answer is – a little effort is enough.

‘Summer Learning Loss’

Researchers have studied for the last 100 years that school students lag behind in learning to some extent during summer vacations. However, recent research, including a study conducted in the US in 2020, suggests that its impact is not the same for all children and it is not as severe as is commonly believed. Once schools reopen, children quickly regain their lost abilities. Most importantly, these traditional scales based only on test scores do not show the whole picture.

kids need breaks too

Just as adults need an annual leave to refresh themselves, children too need a long sabbatical. Whether holidays are summer or winter, holidays are very important for the physical and mental health of children. During this time, they recover from fatigue, spend time with family, and explore their interests at their own pace, which are not always covered in the curriculum.

learning beyond school

Long holidays provide opportunities for different types of learning such as social, cultural, physical and emotional. For young children, learning to swim, baking, helping with household chores or traveling with family can all be helpful in their development. Research shows that free play outdoors increases self-reliance, creativity and resilience. For older children and teens, part-time jobs, volunteering, creative activities, organized sports or community events are helpful in developing self-confidence, responsibility and real-life skills.

some structure needed

Children need routine and structure so they can get adequate rest and free time, but this doesn’t mean following a school-like routine. Instead, simple measures like maintaining a regular sleep schedule, reading before bed or quiet time in the afternoon without screens can be adopted. Children can also play traditional games so that their connection with civilization becomes deeper.

micro learning

For children who have difficulty in studies, parents can provide mild support without creating a school-like environment. Research shows that when children feel emotionally safe and calm, they learn better at the beginning of a new term. Solving Scrabble or puzzles at home, repeating puzzles in the car, reading menus, making shopping lists, or measuring ingredients while cooking—all these everyday activities naturally enhance literacy and numeracy skills.

Relaxation and connection time

Summer or winter vacations should be considered a gift of growth rather than an academic challenge. It is possible that some skills may weaken for a short period of time, such as forgetting a password while away from work. But the benefits of relaxation, family connection and a variety of learning are far more valuable in the long run