After a long school year full of tests, assessments, and homework, the holiday months are the most anticipated by young people. However, it is also during this time of immense rest and leisure that parents wonder how to occupy this free time with their children and, at the same time, manage to enjoy this period as a family in a quality way.
Holidays provide an opportunity for children to enjoy new and enriching experiences, promoting their health and psychological well-being. That said, it is crucial for parents to understand that this period of rest is necessary, and it is therefore essential to strengthen emotional bonds through more moments of dialogue with their children.
It is known that in today's generation, children end up having greater contact with social media; however, several experts state that, during this holiday period, it is important to avoid excessive exposure to technology, since studies demonstrate a significant relationship between increased contact with technology and the emergence of symptoms related to mental health. These symptoms include irritability, anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep disturbances, changes in eating habits, digital addiction, sedentary lifestyle, low self-esteem, academic difficulties, and bullying.
During vacation time, it's very common for younger children to not want to hear or talk about books and schoolwork; however, it's essential to plan strategies so that children, while enjoying leisure time, end up gaining more learning and different experiences.
There are a number of programs that experts recommend so that children can enjoy their holidays with their families, namely:
- Trips to the beach and pool with family and/or friends;
- To take a trip;
- Visit a museum or library;
- Discover the cultural attractions of cities;
- To practice a sporting activity (e.g., to go for a bike ride);
- To engage in cooking (making cookies and cakes);
- Trips to the cinema;
- Performing manual tasks (painting, drawing, etc.);
- Moments of reading.
All these activities contribute to strengthening the emotional bonds between parents and children, namely feelings of security and trust between them, also offering the youngest children the possibility of having interesting stories to tell their classmates and teachers. This sharing and exchange of experiences ends up being a key factor in the child's overall development.
In this way, vacations end up helping children develop their socio-emotional skills, since it is during playtime that they learn to express their opinions and emotions and gain greater autonomy. These moments also allow for new discoveries and promote creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning.
If you have any doubts or difficulties in dealing with this time of year – which should be a time of joy, fun, and relaxation, and not of worries, stress, and frustrations – our Mental Health and Therapy Unit is available to provide support in any situation.
Dr. Mariana Silva - Taipas Termal Mental Health and Therapy Unit
