Breaks from the routine are welcomed opportunities to rest and recharge. They can also be a chance to reconnect with our children by using the school vacation to spend quality time together. Here are 4 ideas for creating a positive experience during this school break.
- Intentional Engagement: One of the best ways to engage with our kids is to create opportunities for genuine connection with our kids. This could be as simple as going for a walk together, having dinner as a family, or scheduling family game night. Whether on a family vacation or during time at home, any positive, targeted attention can strengthen that bond and let children of any age know that they are cared for. It also supports their social-emotional development and gives them the tools they need to interact with others as they go about their day. With this basic need fulfilled, kids feel more confident, more stable, and more at ease.
- Reading: Taking time to read with our kids and giving them guidance to read independently, ensures that their brains stay active and that their learning growth doesn’t regress. This is especially true for students in the primary grades as they are actively and continuously acquiring reading skills. To help them maintain their progress, providing as little as 20 minutes of daily independent reading gives them what they need. It can also prove to be a great way to connect with them as we inquire about what they are reading and ask them questions to gauge their comprehension and share common interests.
- Balanced Use of Electronics: While it’s nice during vacation to indulge in some of the activities where there isn’t time during the normal school schedule, it’s important to consider some of the implication of too much screen time for developing brains. By limiting technology use, we can help our children develop socially while also supporting their brain development. Scientific research shows that increased technology use can lead to difficulty sleeping, decreased empathy, and shorter attention spans (Greenfield 2015). This can have a negative effect over time and create imbalance. Recent studies even show that the effect of digital screen time on developing brains is almost exactly the same as the use of narcotics. With neurotransmitters disrupted, it is difficult for the brain to recover and adapt. Over time, this can have a lasting impact on the mental and emotional health of young children.
- Regular Physical Activity: Providing regular reminders and opportunities for physical fitness can support our children’s physical and mental well-being during a long vacation. Research shows that regular exercise contributes to the growth of new brain cells, particularly in the learning center of the brain. It also helps us keep a balanced emotional state, not to mention all of the physical benefits.
By mindfully connecting and proactively creating positive experiences with our children, we can guarantee an enjoyable school vacation that provides an opportunity for bonding that will carry forward long after the break is over.
