Christmas and New Year celebrations: how to capitalize on your child's moments of relaxation in the middle of a school year?

The school calendar includes a break for students starting on December 24 after a period of classroom study. Generally, parents use this time to have their children help with more household chores, while others take them on vacation, and still others have them review their schoolwork more intensively.  Given all these considerations, the question remains: what should you do to make the most of this time for your child as they prepare to enjoy the end-of-year holidays? The director of the Lukunga educational province offers some guidance on this in the following paragraphs.

Proved Mokito Gaunda, who was asked what to do with children during this break, advises that children take a short break to recharge and regain their strength before the upcoming school weeks.

“After several weeks of waking up at the crack of dawn and running around, they can take a break. During the break, students can get some fresh air—perhaps by enjoying a trip away from home. You can also spend these days at home. In that case, take the opportunity to nap as often as possible. Of course, sleeping in is a must! And, of course, don’t forget to do your homework. Ultimately, school breaks are essential for recharging and building up strength before the upcoming weeks of classes,” he says.

For this professional educator, parents must above all avoid making children do hard work, as school breaks are a brief period set aside for relaxation.

“It is especially during school breaks that the whole family has the opportunity to be together. Very often, it is during these breaks that parents and children reconnect, rediscover each other, and spend quality time together. Everyone sets aside the stress and worries of daily life to fully devote themselves to leisure, entertainment, and escape. During the few days spent with family, everyone should set aside their other responsibilities. Parents should especially avoid making children do hard work, as this is a brief period set aside for relaxation,” explained Proved Mokito.

As a reminder, for the 2022–2023 school year, the Christmas and New Year’s break will begin on Saturday, December 24, 2022, and resume on Monday, January 9, 2023.

Paulin NGENDA