Summer is always the most eagerly awaited break of the year, one that every teacher counts down to, every child looks forward to, and every parent relishes.
For teachers, it is the break that ends the repeated cycle of waking up to the sound of the alarm clock and offers a well earned period of meaningful rest. For parents, it is a welcome pause from the never ending school runs, although it often comes with the added expectation of creating a fun filled experience for both themselves and their children. And for young people, it means more time to stay in bed, less work, more time on their phones or other devices, and, of course, no bedtime regulations!
However, this is also a crucial period in your child’s learning and development. While it is important for children to rest and recharge, it is equally important to have a relaxed plan that keeps them positively engaged. Doing so will help ease them back into the school routine when the new academic year begins, which always seems to arrive much sooner than expected. It is no surprise that teachers often say, “That was quick!” or “I could do with another week!”
As a child growing up in Ghana, one of the most memorable parts of my childhood was my summer reading adventures. My dad would always take me to the library, and I would come home with a box full of books to read over the holidays. For every book I read, I kept a record of new words and their meanings to build my vocabulary.
The best part was when my dad returned home each day and asked me to retell the story I had been reading. He listened so intently and with such pride that it made me feel incredibly special. My passion for writing was born from those moments. I began journalling the lessons I learned from the books I read and started writing poems, which were later recited at group gatherings on campus.
At the age of twelve, I entered the prestigious Commonwealth Essay Competition, and my essay won a prize in my age category, an achievement I am still immensely proud of today. I have always loved reading, although, like many adults, I now find it more challenging to fit into the busyness of everyday life. Even so, I continue to work at making it part of my lifestyle because I know the value it has added to my life.
As parents, we naturally become busy during the school term, providing for our children and ensuring they have everything they need. However, when children grow up, the memories they treasure most are rarely the things we bought them. Instead, they remember the time we invested in them, the conversations we had, the stories we shared, and the ways we nurtured their naturally curious minds.
The summer break can be particularly challenging for many young people if they are not engaged in positive and stimulating activities. Their return to school marks the beginning of a new academic year, one that is often more demanding than the last. Most children will have moved up to the next stage of their education, where greater independence, resilience, and a stronger academic work ethic are expected.
Children who return to school after a summer with little intellectual stimulation often find it harder to regain the momentum needed for learning, while their peers who have remained positively engaged settle back into school much more easily. Much of this comes down to how they have been prepared over the summer.
This summer, I encourage you to plan meaningful and enjoyable activities with your child. Set them reading targets, encourage them to watch educational programmes, play outdoors, go for walks, visit local libraries or museums, and give them opportunities to discover new interests.
Most importantly, talk to them regularly. By talking, I do not simply mean asking how their day was over dinner or checking in from time to time. I mean having genuine conversations, listening to their thoughts, showing an interest in what they enjoy, discussing their dreams and concerns, and taking time to understand who they are becoming.
These moments may seem small today, but they are the memories your child will carry with them for a lifetime. More importantly, they will help lay the foundation for a confident, motivated, and successful start to the new academic year.