By Callista Nwofor
Educationalists have called on parents to engage their children in structured summer holiday classes and vocational skill programs to boost critical thinking and discourage excessive screen time during the vacation period.
Speaking with Exceedfm on the trend, an educational expert, simplified identified as Mrs. Paschal, noted that summer classes help prevent academic regression caused by unstructured leisure activities. According to her, unstructured downtime often leads children to spend excessive hours watching television, which can hinder retention of previously learned concepts.
“Summer holiday classes keep children mentally active through activities that foster critical thinking, such as vocabulary building, scrabble, and chess,” Mrs. Paschal explained.
She further highlighted the rising trend of integrating practical vocational skills into summer programs, including baking, soap making, tailoring, basic computer operations, and auto-mechanics. She also emphasized the growing importance of digital skills like graphic design using tools such as Canva, alongside organized sports like football during recreation hours.
Mrs. Paschal advised parents whose children are currently idle at home to enroll them in skill acquisition centers rather than allowing them to roam the streets.
Corroborating this view, another educationalist, Mrs. Isabella Okafor, stated that modern summer programs extend beyond traditional reading and writing. She emphasized that practical skills—such as shoemaking, bag crafting, and hairdressing—provide students with hands-on knowledge that can support them financially during their educational pursuit.
Mrs. Okafor urged parents to actively encourage their children and educate them on the long-term benefits of acquiring practical skills early in life.
