How Does Vacation Affect Children’s Development?
How does vacation affect children’s development? Do they influence positively or negatively? Contrary to what you might think, vacations do not mean a “learning suspension”, far from it.
Rather, they represent another way to encourage children to absorb future school knowledge. They also represent the opportunity to put into practice what they already know. So vacations are not an interference or a whim. They are necessary and timely.
what experts say
Early childhood education experts have determined a number of vacation-related benefits that enhance learning in its many facets and even help strengthen family ties. There are many benefits that vacations bring, and below we’ll look at some of the most important ones.
Taking a vacation and generally enjoying periods of rest gives children and adults the opportunity to release the accumulated stress of fulfilling their obligations.
And while our kids will spend a few weeks away from books and homework, the stimulation they’ll receive during the holidays will support their willingness to learn how to go back to school.
How does vacation affect children’s development?
According to experts in cognitive learning, there are five specific areas that benefit during periods of rest, leisure and recreation. They are as follows:
- THE IQ.
- The ability to concentrate.
- The consolidation of the character.
- The ability to get rid of stress.
- The ability to create emotional bonds with people and places.
This is because, in the free time they have during vacations to play, children release neurochemicals that encourage them to seek emotion through experimentation and contact with the environment, which later translates into better development of neurons and brain connections.
Below, we’ll detail some of the experiences your child may have while on vacation and what particular cognitive bond they relate to. You will find that, behind many seemingly recreational and simple activities, there are several underlying benefits that are worth promoting.
Experiences and cognitive link
- Remembering places visited = Memory.
- Feelings of closeness = Creation of affective bonds.
- Play in open spaces = Ability to concentrate.
- Laughter and positive emotions = Ability to get rid of bad things.
- Waiting and planning the trip helps to fight attention deficit and hyperactivity = Ability to concentrate.
- Frontal lobe stimulus = Intellectual coefficient.
- Interaction with other children = Social development.
Now, in order for these stimuli to be released and activate children’s cognitive abilities, it is necessary to encourage recreational activities during vacations that keep them motivated.
Activities that encourage children’s development
Outdoor games are great for stimulating children. Also, perform plays or dances with brothers, cousins or friends. Playing board games or doing video game competitions is very positive for them, as well as fun, of course.
Nature walks and visits to zoos as a family are also stimulating and very positive for their development, especially at an early age.
On the other hand, magic shows, concerts, plays and visits to museums are a good way to entertain children and “awaken” their interest in the world that involves their senses.
In turn, sports activities are also very beneficial. Such as: swimming, soccer, tennis or whatever catches your child’s attention. Of course, it’s not just about children doing these activities, it’s about sharing them with family or friends.
Remember that vacations are the perfect time to build affection and cultivate self-esteem. It is important that children feel important and that they participate in the unit that symbolizes the family, as this will help them to have healthy interactions at school.
