Full article from the Term 4 No 2 2006 Newsletter
 

Holiday Magic

Throughout our lives, the enchantment of the holidays we have experienced as children remains indelibly etched into our memories of families, friends and fun.
We remember the carefree summer holidays spent splashing in the shallows of the bay in our jellybean sandals, our noses patterned with white zinc war paint, our arms and legs sparkling with sunblock and sand. We remember the excitement of backyard cricket matches, the building of a makeshift cubby house in the branches of the wattle-tree, the spicy star-shaped cookies we ate, still warm and sticky from the oven.

What we remember most vividly, however, are the feelings of happiness, laughter and freedom from routine that are the essential ingredients of holidays.

The true spirit of holidays

Today, in our 'overscheduled world' , it is important that we preserve the true spirit of holidays for our own children. More than ever before, it is essential that we allow children time to relax, to play, to enjoy the company of their friends and family, and to be free to imagine, and to dream.

Holidays are very important events in a child's development. Holidays provide time for children to relax, to have a break from the busy routines of preschool, and school, to enjoy their homes, their friends and family - and sometimes, to explore new horizons!

Family and cultural traditions greatly influence the ways in which families choose to celebrate holidays. In our wonderfully multicultural society our children have the opportunity to learn about, and to appreciate the traditions and customs of others. Holiday time is also a great opportunity to encourage our children to share, to give to others, rather than to expect an abundance of presents for themselves.

Holidays provide time for parents to connect with their children, to talk with them, to read favourite books together, to quietly discuss issues that may have concerned their children during the year. Parents often say how much they love holidays, as they have time to truly enjoy being with their children - to revel in their joy of life, to share with them the excitement of a train trip to the city, making a gingerbread man, planting a carrot top, listening to a cicada, walking through the 'wild woods' of the local park, looking for cloud castles floating across the sky.

What should I do during the holidays to prepare my child for school?

For parents of preschoolers about to embark upon the voyage of formal education -some thirteen years at primary and secondary school (plus goodness knows how many years ahead in tertiary education!) - these summer holidays are especially precious. In a sense, your preschooler is about to leave babyhood behind, and in a very short time will become a seasoned schoolchild! Cherish these next few weeks - enjoy the time together. Your preschool programs will have prepared your child very well socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually for this next exciting step. It is important that you trust that your child is ready for formal learning once school begins. Resist the temptation to teach your child to read and write yourself - these skills will be introduced by your teacher at school, when the appropriate stage of readiness has been reached.

You and your 'soon to be schoolchild' may, however, like to choose from the following list of holiday activities which can continue to encourage those social and emotional skills so important for success at school:

Picknicking in the schoolground with a small group of friends and their mothers.
Inviting a special friend over to play.
Choosing a special activity from: dress ups, playdough, cooking activities, painting, water
painting the back fence, making a miniature garden, chalk drawing on concrete pathway, cutting
and pasting, building blocks and equipment, bubble pipes, playing backyard cricket.
Visiting the local library with a friend - choosing picture story books to "read" together.
Building a cubby with large cartons .
Using construction material to build something together.
Train trip to the city; tram trip to the beach.

As children reach preschool and primary school age, they love to include a special friend in family activities, especially during the holidays. These activities should be simple, inexpensive, not too structured, and lots of fun. The main thing is that they provide a context for friendships, and for social and emotional skills to develop.

Remember that having the time and the freedom to play is an essential ingredient of a happy holiday - and of a happy childhood!

Article written by Helen Newton, former primary school principal.