How to help your child stay fresh and smart this holiday

It's August, and as usual, we can expect unending rainfalls and limited sunlight. It's also the month that offers the longest school holidays to our children.

As usual, they are ready to ditch the uniforms, forget homework, and sleep like there’s no tomorrow. But while rest is well-deserved, the holiday season shouldn’t become a total brain shutdown.

Children grow fast, and so does their need for balanced development - physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. That leaves us with one challenge - ensuring they don’t turn into screen zombies or forget how to spell their names by September. But how do we?

Here's a guide that offers useful tips for keeping your kids fresh, smart and happily engaged throughout the holiday season.

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The first temptation for most parents is to throw routine out of the window. But the truth is that kids still need structure - even if it's relaxed. You can set simple daily goals, such as reading for 20 minutes every day.

Throw in other activities like helping out with launch, and going out to pay only when it's 5 PM. This rhythm helps them feel secure and productive. However, be careful not to overdo it. Leave some room for laziness and more sleep. After all, holiday seasons are also for joy.

Let's be honest - kids love screen time. And well, you'll be too harsh to take that away from them during the holidays. So instead, make their screen time count. Things like loading their devices with educational YouTube channels, child-friendly documentaries, coding games, and language apps can help them stay at the top of their game while learning about culture and values. Well, you can mix this educational content with their usual cartoons to make it fun for them.

Yes, it's the holiday season, and they don't have to read textbooks. But it's also a period to inculcate the reading culture. So let them choose fun books they'll love to read throughout the holidays. It could be storybooks, comics, adventure tales, or even picture dictionaries.

Try setting a “reading corner” with cosy pillows and snacks to make it feel like a treat, not a chore. You can even create time to read together and discuss the characters like you’re reviewing a movie. It builds their vocabulary and their confidence.

They've spent months in school learning all the academic work they can. Now’s the time to spice things up by teaching them things they don't know in school. It could be how to cook simple meals, budget for market runs, sweep and mop, water plants, or even sew buttons.

These seemingly little tasks build confidence, responsibility, and independence. You’re not just raising a smart child - you’re raising a capable one.

You don’t have to spend every minute with your child, but daily quality time matters. Ask questions. Play together. Go on short outings - even if it’s just a walk or market run. Your attention is one of the most powerful tools for helping your child feel grounded, loved, and motivated to keep growing.

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The holiday doesn’t have to be a choice between “total relaxation” and “over-scheduling.” It can be both - a season of rest and intentional fun that keeps your child fresh and mentally alert.

So breathe. Let them sleep in sometimes. Let them play with sand. But also, give them small nudges toward growth.