When schools close for the holidays, many parents breathe a sigh of relief while others begin asking an important question: “how do I keep my child busy?” Perhaps a better question is: “how can I help my child continue growing during the holidays?” ALSO READ: The greatest gift you can give a child is time The truth is, learning does not stop when schools close. In fact, holidays offer one of the greatest opportunities for children to develop life skills that are often difficult to teach in a classroom. ALSO READ: Children feel stress too – even before they can explain it As parents, our goal should not simply be to keep children occupied but to help them grow into responsible, confident, creative, and compassionate individuals. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children during the holidays is time. Children do not always remember every toy they received or every video they watched, but they remember conversations, laughter, family traditions, and moments spent with the people they love. ALSO READ: The parent behind the child The holidays are also an opportunity to teach practical life skills. Depending on a child’s age, parents can involve them in simple household activities such as preparing meals, washing dishes, folding clothes, organizing their rooms, gardening, or shopping responsibly. These seemingly ordinary tasks build independence, responsibility, patience, and confidence. ALSO READ: Your child is growing – but are they developing? Reading should also remain part of every child’s holiday routine. Reading is not only about improving academic performance; it develops imagination, vocabulary, critical thinking, and curiosity. Parents can encourage children to read storybooks, biographies, newspapers, or even read aloud together as a family. A child who learns to enjoy reading carries that habit for life. ALSO READ: What if we are misreading children’s behaviour? Equally important is outdoor play. Running, jumping, cycling, skipping rope, football, traditional games, and nature walks are essential for children’s physical development and emotional wellbeing. Active play strengthens muscles, improves coordination, reduces stress, and supports healthy brain development. Childhood should never be experienced only through a screen. Technology has become part of modern life, and it certainly has educational benefits. However, parents should remember that technology is a tool, not a babysitter. During the holidays, children can use digital devices to learn languages, explore science, watch educational documentaries, practice coding, or develop creative skills such as drawing and music. At the same time, excessive and unsupervised use of social media or entertainment platforms can reduce physical activity, limit social interaction, and expose children to content that is not appropriate for their age. The holidays are also a wonderful time to strengthen family relationships. Parents can create simple routines such as sharing one meal together each day, praying together, telling family stories, playing board games, or simply asking meaningful questions like, “What made you smile today?” or “What did you learn today?” These conversations help children feel valued, heard, and emotionally secure. Children also benefit from opportunities to serve others. Visiting grandparents, helping neighbours, participating in community activities, or supporting younger siblings teaches empathy, kindness, and social responsibility. These experiences shape character far beyond academic achievement. It is important to remember that children do not need every minute of their holiday scheduled. Allowing them time to explore, imagine, create, and even experience a little boredom often leads to creativity and problem-solving. Some of childhood’s greatest discoveries happen when children are simply given space to think. The holidays will eventually come to an end, but the memories, habits, and values children develop during this season can remain with them. As parents, let us use this opportunity to raise not only successful students but also healthy, resilient, responsible, and compassionate human beings. After all, education does not only happen in classrooms. Some of life’s most important lessons are learned at home. The writer is an educator, early childhood development practitioner and neurodiversity and parenting advocate.
