As the school term ends, children across Kenya and other parts of the world enter the December holiday break. For many parents, this is a time for children to rest—a chance to recharge for the next school year. While rest is essential, these breaks also open a door for the young minds to explore and develop their talents outside the classroom. In our world today, a broad range of skills matters and fate belongs to those who know how to do stuff! Those who have the skills, not just the knowledge.
It is imperative for pupils and students to utilize this golden opportunity to expand their potential, cultivate new interests, and build life skills that textbooks don’t teach by the help of their parents, guardians and people of goodwill. Through this article, I aim to inspire children, parents, mentors, and community leaders to look at this holiday differently. See it as a time to foster curiosity, creativity, and confidence among the young learners.
Let’s encourage our children to tap into their unique talents. Help them explore new interests. Guide them as they build skills beyond school.
But why the effort? To get a clearer picture, let’s mull over these eight reasons why staying with your school-going child throughout this holiday will only do them injustice:
1. The Importance of Balanced Development
A complete education entails more than just academics. It emphasizes cultivating a variety of skills and views. Today’s job market values creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability, among other dynamic skills.
Encouraging children to join activities like youth mentorship, leadership training, or even a community camp this holiday season will equip them with new experiences. They’ll learn teamwork, resilience, and empathy. These lessons will eventually shape them into responsible, well-rounded individuals.
2. Building Life Skills Through Mentorship
Holiday mentorship programs and camps offer valuable experiences. Many individuals and organizations hold special holiday sessions focused on leadership and mentorship.
These programs introduce children to structured guidance and experiential learning opportunities. They visualize future goals. They see the value of hard work, discipline, and dedication.
Camps, whether religious or community-based, build personal character. If we allow our young ones to be part of such learning and growth spaces, they will expand their worldview and push them out of their comfort zones by blending development with interactive activities.
3. Learning a Foreign Language
A new language! Ah, what a practical and fun challenge!
The world is more interconnected than ever. Being multilingual is an asset to today’s child. This holiday break is a great time to start learning a foreign language. Think of French or Mandarin, or even Spanish. Current trends remind us that in a decade from now, these three languages will be among the most sought-after skills among our children’s generation. It’s an unequaled advantage to start learning them from an early age. Language learning improves cognitive skills. It also deepens cultural appreciation and expands your worldview. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is famously known to suggest that the language a person speaks influences how they think about reality. So, the more languages you know and can speak, the wider your worldview becomes and the more influenced your reality is.
As parents, we can make this fun by allowing our children to use language apps, watch cartoons in the new language, or even attend beginner workshops. I agree with you, dear parent and guardian, that your regulation is required here. By the time school reopens, they might have grasped the basics. This skill will sharpen their memory, enhance their adaptability, and give them a future edge.
4. Encouraging Talent Exploration: The Arts, Sports, and Technology
Every child has unique interests. Some enjoy sports; others may love painting, music, or coding.
During this break, why not allow them to dive into these adrenaline-pumping experiences? Parents, guardians, mentors and community leaders encourage that kid to attend that short art class, a sports clinic, or a basic coding workshop. Plan for them to participate and learn and they won’t regret it. These activities will boost their creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of achievement. In today’s digital age, technology offers endless learning opportunities. There are child-friendly programs for digital painting, music production, and coding. Introducing children to these areas early will inspire passion-driven career interests.
5. Promoting Social Connections and Teamwork
Socializing with diverse peers will broaden your children’s perspectives. It will build their empathy and enhance communication. They can achieve this through team sports, group activities at community centers, or even small volunteer projects.
Such experiences will also teach your children teamwork and patience. For children, these shared moments often create lifelong friendships and networks.
Parents can support these interactions by setting up or registering their children for chaperoned meet-ups, helping find group activities, or arranging playdates with children from various backgrounds.
6. Reading and Writing for Intellectual Growth
Though the break is time off from formal academics, reading and writing still foster intellectual growth. Encourage children to read books on various topics, especially those that interest them.
Reading will open them to new ideas. It will expand their vocabulary and sharpen comprehension. For children who enjoy writing, a holiday journal or blog is a great outlet.
Encourage them to passionately write about daily experiences and discoveries. Writing builds creativity and discipline, and their journal becomes a personal memory of growth. You could even suggest a short writing workshop or competition for a fun, engaging way to improve their communication skills.
7. Crafting Practical Projects and Challenges at Home
When structured programs aren’t available, you as a parent or guardian can create fun projects at home. Simple activities like gardening, making a family scrapbook, or even a small business project like selling handmade crafts can be highly engaging.
These projects teach responsibility, accountability and planning. Taking the lead nurtures creativity and independence.
By allowing your children space to explore and experiment, you will be providing lessons that go beyond school.
8. Creating a Growth Mindset at Home is Your Role
Children thrive in environments where they feel supported and inspired to follow their interests. Parents play a big role in creating a home that values curiosity and effort. Encourage them to talk about their goals. Let them share their dreams and challenges. By showing interest, you validate their aspirations and build their confidence. Offer opportunities, but also let them choose. Sometimes, a bit of freedom is what a child needs to thrive. Challenge them to try new things and celebrate their progress, no matter how small.
A growth mindset helps children see every experience as a step toward self-improvement.
Empowering Our Youth for a Brighter Tomorrow
As we enjoy the holiday season, let’s also remember the value of mentorship and skill-building in nurturing tomorrow’s leaders. Education is powerful, but it’s not everything.
To prepare our children fully, we need to unlock their potential. Help them embrace challenges and recognize the value of diverse experiences.
Through mentorship, skill-building, and meaningful social interactions, we can make holidays impactful journeys of growth for our children.
Let’s take it upon our shoulders to guide our children and youth to be thinkers, creators, and citizens of the world. This holiday season, let’s support their dreams and give them the resources they need to flourish. This is not only your responsibility, but also your chance to usher your child into a world of creativity, success-mindedness and a vibrant pursuit of greatness.
Let’s do it!
____________________ Benvictor Makau is a multi-skilled Editor and Content Strategist, and a believer in the power of positive storytelling and solutions journalism in transforming society. He's a well-informed journalist and prolific writer on matters of Education, Literature, Health, Climate Change, and Leadership. He is also the Founder and CEO of Benmak Virtual Assistants (www.benmakva.com), a company offering high-end virtual assistance services to professionals and their organizations across the world. His contact: benvictorisaac@gmail.com. Let's connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benvictor-makau
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
