Dr. Riyam Chaar
Summertime is that period where children feel freedom from the rigid framework of studying and tiring school days. Many parents, meanwhile, struggle to strike a balance between making the most of their children's free time and preventing the exhaustion that comes with organising and monitoring an endless number of extracurricular activities.
Achieving harmony is possible. By selecting stimulating educational activities and utilising accessible resources, parents may convert a summer break into a period of significant development for both their children and themselves.
Education does not have to be formalised. Parents can present instructional activities that are naturally pleasurable. Conducting scientific experiments with home materials, collaborating in cooking to promote measuring skills and following directions, or transforming a zoo visit into a biology lesson are effective methods to involve children without evoking a school-like atmosphere.
Board games that foster strategic thinking, storytelling evenings, or scavenger hunts that require comprehending clues can effectively enhance cognitive skills in enjoyable manners.
Visits to local libraries, museums, and factories are educational and entertaining to both children and parents at the same time. During these visits parents along with children interact and learn new skills.
Parents may utilise children's leisure time at home by instructing them in practical housekeeping chores via everyday activities.
Engaging youngsters in activities such as making beds, folding clothes, or organising their rooms fosters responsibility, independence, and organisational skills. Transforming mundane tasks into educational experiences nurtures children's confidence and instils a sense of ownership for their surroundings as well as reduces parents' stressful days.
Education encompasses more than just academics. Emotional intelligence, life skills, and familial connections hold similar significance. Integrating occasional excursions—such as picnics, hikes in the outdoors, or beach outings—augments enjoyment and disturbs routine in a revitalising manner.
Through careful preparation and engagement, parents may transform potentially tedious days into significant, pleasurable experiences that enhance their connection with their children and build enduring memories.
Parents do not have to expend their efforts or compromise their well-being to ensure their children's summer vacation is both instructive and entertaining.
Through smart planning, utilisation of community resources, and an emphasis on integrating learning with enjoyment, the summer may transform into a period of exploration, bonding, and happiness for the entire family. Ultimately, it involves quality rather than quantity!
Riyam Chaar, with a PhD in educational leadership, is the author of “Your Guide to Teaching,” a trainer in educational pedagogies, and an adjunct professor at Arkansas State University–Qatar.
