The very meaning of the word ‘vacation’ is ‘freedom from duty/ obligation’ etc. Vacation is the most memorable part of a student’s life. It offers the much-required break from the boring lectures, early morning alarms and strict routines. It is the only time that kids look forward to with great enthusiasm. To be honest, it is a nightmare…. a time parents really dread. They frown, they scowl, they glare with one question in their mind, ‘How are we going to engage these children creatively and productively?’
Everyone loves vacation since they can do things which they enjoy doing. But if the vacation is not used wisely, monotony may creep in.
How can the vacation be spent productively by the children? There should be a proper planning for that. I strongly believe that vacation should be used to develop the life skills of the children since all other time is kept aside only for academics. To cope up with the increasing pace and cut throat competition, children need new life skills and its development is paramount.
There are a plethora of productive things children can do during their vacation.
Learning a new language other than one’s mother tongue is a good thought. Developing communication skills is the need of the hour.
Children can be made aware of the importance of their health. They can start doing some sort of physical activity which brings in a system in their whole life. Eat healthy food, exercise well and sleep well can be the motto during vacation.
This vacation can be utilized for learning a new skill which you are really interested in like public speaking, cooking, swimming, learning some musical instruments and drawing/painting. Parents should take special interest in giving swimming coaching. It is a good exercise and prevents children from drowning, which is very common nowadays. Always remember to choose the one closest to the child’s heart.
Minimum one hour per day should be kept aside for the family like helping mother in the kitchen, doing some gardening, learning to fix a broken tap or changing a bulb, tyre of the car/two wheeler etc.
Helping others without expecting anything back is the most virtuous thing a person can do. Parents can encourage the children to help others/neighbours in case of need so that they can grow up as socially responsible human beings.
Start doing all the personal things by themselves like washing their clothes, cleaning their room, washing the plates in which they take food, arranging their room smartly etc. No one can ever expect others to do it for them in future. Try to be self-reliant.
Learn to appreciate everything given by God. Enjoy the nature, walk around, talk to the plants and birds and animals. We may not see them after 5 -10 years. Though it may sound crazy, it will turn out to be one of the noblest experiences of life. Such experiences will help one in overcoming the boredom of studies, at least to some children.
De-clutter the home/ room. Give away books and notes no longer needed or in use. In addition, clear the desk and get organized.
The most important activity children can do during their vacation is to know their own locality. It is as good as knowing themselves. It would definitely influence their locality perceptions and make them sensitive to the social issues. They can ear mark three or four days to know and study about the important places in their locality.
These activities would definitely finetune the social skills of our younger generation by influencing their life perceptions and making them committed human beings. A happy and enjoyable vacation boosts up the mental and physical health of a child thereby making him more productive and effective in his life. The role of parents is of vital importance in this initiative.
As the maxim goes, a generation of good thoughts, good words and good deeds should emerge in the days to come.
(The author is CEO, ELL Phonics English Language Institute, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram)
