Vanessa’s insights: embracing the colourful summer holidays
Head of Early Years
As we head towards the summer, I appreciate that parents and guardians may start to consider how best to occupy the bodies and minds of the children in the family. How on earth do you keep such active minds and energetic bodies busy and fulfilled? Busyness is one thing, yet a sense of fulfilment is something different altogether.
The immediate temptation is to schedule, schedule, schedule: lesson upon lesson upon lesson, class upon class upon class. From 09:00 – 16:00 cram and pack in as much as you can with visits to education centres, tutors, play centres, little gyms, etc, etc ……the offerings are plentiful and can be found on just about every street throughout the city. Tempting of course, however there are other ways to enjoy a summer break that can be more fulfilling, appropriate and develop a greater sense of wellbeing for all.
Start by asking your child what they would like to do. Don’t assume for them and try your hardest to suppress the notion that mathematics, language and logical thinking classes make for a well-rounded individual. For some, they do; for many, they don’t.
If your child likes the more creative side of life, embrace it, and seek opportunities to develop and enhance this for your child. Provide resources within the home that could also be taken outside – a little art pack, modelling clay, book and pencils that can be as easily used on a picnic as it could at a desk in an art corner of a bedroom or living room.
If you have a book worm in the family, don’t automatically assume that reading classes or literacy tutoring are the best way forward. Provide a range of books that children can enjoy over and over again, with paper and pencils to allow children the opportunity to create their own books, draw pictures from the books or design characters that could be added to the story.
You could stretch imagination further by providing resources to support role play opportunities – a scarf, some material, or props can extend play beyond the book.
If you have a mathematician or a baby Einstein, consider how you can truly bring concepts to life without necessarily needing to involve a third party. Provide blocks, empty boxes and paper to make train tracks, vehicles, puzzles, jigsaws, mazes – you don’t need to buy, rather create and build.
When considering the use of Lego as entertainment, children appreciate the opportunity to think about what they are doing and figure out a way of creating. Try to buy boxes of bricks rather than a kit, as a kit has a defined end product as opposed to numerous possibilities.
Also, bear in mind that the summer break is a chance for rest, recharging of biological batteries and togetherness with the adults in life. It is ok to give yourselves permission to watch a movie together and ‘chill out’. Taking time to enjoy shopping for, preparing and cooking a meal together can be very rewarding and provides a multitude of conversation points (plus many opportunities for learning something new, or applying established knowledge).
A break from the routines of nursery should hopefully not fill you with dread, rather fill you with anticipation of a chance to move at a slower pace, relish time together and enjoy life without pressure. And when all else fails, let your child get bored. Providing they are in a safe environment, this is a very useful experience for them.
Children, no matter how young, do not need to be occupied every minute of the day – it is important for them to experience being bored, as this forces them to discover ways to entertain themselves.
Rediscovering books, puzzles, building, drawing, sorting – whatever opportunities are available to them will be sought with sense of endeavour. Boredom also helps children develop planning strategies, problem-solving skills, flexibility, and organisational skills – key abilities that children whose lives are usually highly structured may lack.
(adapted from https://childmind.org/article/the-benefits-of-boredom)
Having a general daily routine in mind which provides time for children to occupy themselves is beneficial to enhance the characteristics of effective learning – this is how young children learn about the world around them. Children will find ways to motivate themselves providing they feel safe and reassured that there is an adult nearby (but not necessarily next to them). Give them some tools to support learning which they can explore on their own, and who knows what may result.
We are very fortunate to live in the glorious city of Shanghai; it is filled with wonder and joy. Not only is it stunningly beautiful to look at, it presents abundant opportunities for unintentional and accidental learning. This mixed with family time, a dose of boredom and the odd movie can make for a very happy summer. Here’s hoping that you and your families make the most of what is around you and you are blessed with a wonderful break. Stay safe, healthy, and happy. From everyone at Huili Nursery Shanghai.
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