With learners now enjoying a two-month holiday after completing the school term, parents can help them make the most of the break by encouraging activities that build skills, nurture talents, and spark new interests. Instead of spending long hours idle or glued to screens, children can use the holiday to explore practical abilities and gain experiences that will benefit them when they return to school in September. ALSO READ: Five ways to keep children learning during holidays Some of the skills they can develop include: Reading Jackson Kwikiriza, a father of four and financial expert, encourages parents to promote reading beyond the school curriculum through novels, biographies, autobiographies and storybooks. He said reading helps children understand the world beyond exams by exposing them to new ideas and experiences. Kwikiriza encourages parents to provide age-appropriate books, promote library visits, and help children summarise what they read. Languages Kwikiriza said parents should help children learn new languages or improve those they already know. Children can be exposed to languages such as English, French, Swahili, and Ikinyarwanda through activities that improve their speaking, reading, and writing skills, rather than making the experience feel like classroom work. Kwikiriza also says holidays should give children time to rest after a demanding school term, while parents keep them engaged through activities that do not recreate the pressure of the classroom. Digital skills “Students should start learning computer skills early because the world is going digital. Coding, product development and other technologies are shaping the future, and depending on their age, they can begin acquiring these skills instead of waiting until university.” Community service Children should take part in age-appropriate community work and volunteering to gain practical skills. According to Kwikiriza, children in rural areas acquire such skills through farming, livestock activities, and household responsibilities, but many urban children have fewer opportunities to learn through similar experiences. Sports Youngsters can take part in activities such as cycling, swimming, running and fitness exercises to stay active and discover their talents. Kwikiriza bought bicycles for his children to help them learn cycling as a new skill. “My children have learned how to ride a bicycle, and I have enrolled them for swimming lessons.” Dance Honore Manzi Murengezi, a dance teacher and choreographer, explained that dance is both a sport and an art form that helps relieve stress and develop confidence and discipline. “Dancing will equip the youngsters with confidence, discipline and the urge to not give up. When I started dancing at a young age, I did not see it as a profession. I went in with an open mind, it’s later that I considered it as a profession. We have to step into it and learn from this art. However, it takes the willingness to learn,” he said. House of Dance studio where he teaches offers lessons every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for adults and children aged seven to 12. Entrepreneurship For older learners, especially those who have completed Senior Three or Senior Six, Kwikiriza says parents can encourage entrepreneurship by involving them in family businesses or ventures such as mobile money services and retail businesses. He said the goal should be to help them develop business skills rather than focus on making profits. Financial literacy Kwikiriza said parents can teach children financial management, including earning, saving and investing. His children save part of their pocket money through sub-accounts linked to the family’s main bank account. Children, he said, need opportunities to earn before they can learn to save. He also noted that digital tools can help teach budgeting and money management. Life skills Christabell Rutabingwa, a mentorship expert, said parents ought to prepare children for life by teaching practical skills, values and responsibility. She urged parents to involve children in cooking and other household chores, saying these help them become independent and appreciate the work done by other family members. Rutabingwa urges parents to discuss choices and values with children. For teenagers, she recommended volunteering or spending time in workplaces linked to careers they hope to pursue. Kwikiriza said holidays provide an opportunity for children to spend time with relatives and learn from people who can guide them. He often intentionally plans visits to grandparents and other relatives to maintain family connections. “It is an opportunity to connect with grandparents, uncles and aunties, and see how they do business there. Parents can also introduce children to mentors who support their career ambitions. My eldest son wants to become a doctor, so we have already identified a friend who mentors him,” he said.
