Why it’s important to let your child rest these holidays
Former teacher advises parents to allow children to not do school work these holidays.
Term three is over, and parents, learners and educators deserve some much-needed time-out.
Alarm clocks, packed lunches, homework and school-day routines are put aside for a few days, or so they should be.
Unfortunately, for many parents and learners, term three also brings the less-anticipated school report and in many cases, ensuing panic. After all, there is only one term left of the year and many parents feel that the October holiday should be used to focus on school work.
Former educator and co-founder of an education franchise, Cindy Glass, disagrees, saying whether your child is in Grade 1 or Grade 11, whether your child is struggling or an achiever, she highly recommends that schoolwork takes a vacation with your family this October.
“Our children are under a lot of pressure: learners are bombarded non-stop, with tasks, assignments, homework, tests and examinations. On top of this, they have sporting and other cultural activities which keep them busy, often until late into the afternoons and even during weekends. Grade 12 learners have had the added pressure of trial exams, too – with no time for rest,” said Cindy.
Cindy went on to say that although children are exhausted and burnt out, it’s easy to fall into the ‘need-to-do-more, need-to-work-harder’ trap at this time of the year. She refers to it as a trap because she says the idea of adding more pressure, more stress and more work to learners who are already exhausted is completely counter-productive. In her experience, it could lead to a disastrous fourth term.
She advises parents to consider the symptoms of burn-out in children: unusual aggression, tearfulness, fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks, apathy, rebelliousness, depression, low self-esteem, recurring infections and illnesses, impaired concentration and anti-social behaviour. A burnt-out child cannot learn effectively, and even less so cope with added schoolwork.
To conclude, Cindy mentioned the importance of resting for children, especially during school holidays.
“Our children need space to breathe, to relax and to engage in activities that make them happy, that are uplifting, fun and exciting. The happy, relaxed and rested child gives the brain a chance to breathe. The mind has space to take in information more effectively. Learners will have more energy, and experience an improved ability to concentrate and retain new information. Taking a complete break these holidays can only have a positive effect on your child, helping him or her to achieve maximum results in the fourth term,” said Cindy.
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