We all remember counting down the days to our breaks when we were in school. We couldn’t wait to sleep in and do whatever we wanted, even if it was absolutely nothing. Now that we are adults, we can see the downsides a little more clearly. That sudden jump in free time over the extended period of a holiday break can lead to the development of habits that make moving back into the typical school schedule more difficult than it needs to be. But it doesn’t have to be an uphill battle with your kids! It’s all about balance.
Extended breaks from school can be a great opportunity for students to reset and begin getting practice in “self-care,” something we as adults know is important to intentionally cultivate. Samantha Chandler, dean of students and language arts and theater teacher at NOVA Middle School, talks about ways to set your family up for success over the upcoming winter break.
Top Ways Kids Can Recharge Over Break
“Being off your sleep schedule and spending a lot of time on screens can make it hard for any of us coming back from vacation,” Chandler says. The trick is to take a more intentional approach to managing time, taking away the expectation for kids to constantly be productive and encourage moments of complete relaxation.
Read a Physical Book
Chandler mentions reading as a top activity to activate the mind without the fear of overstimulation. “Reading in any genre is great,” she says. “Though I think with gifted students, ‘how-to’ books are a fantastic choice because they have a lot of curiosity about how to make things and how things work. There are lots of good examples of how-to books out there, whether it’s crafting or making music, they should be easy to find.”
Alternate between Screen Time and Real-Life Activities
With the availability of YouTube videos and information online, young people aren’t using their brains and creativity as much to figure out how to build, craft, and develop the skills that characterize a well-rounded and adaptable individual. “We’re getting to the time where people expect stimulation and expect things to be very fast. There’s a new thing, and a new thing, and a new thing, right after each other, and that’s not how school works,” Chandler advises.
In order to come away from vacation feeling energized and rested, it’s important that students pay attention to how extra usage of screens affects their overall wellbeing, and balance that with other activities that are more engaging: going out with friends and family, playing board games, engaging in physical activities like skating or rock climbing, and getting creative with artistic projects, to name only a few.
Parents Model Healthy Rest and Routines
Besides academics, school is an area where kids get to interact with different people and see their friends. Staying at home can lead to a decrease in opportunities for both mental and social stimulation. “I think for adults, one of the things they can do is really make an effort to be present for their kids,” says Chandler, acknowledging that many adults still have to work during the break while students are left at home.
Clear communication about goal-setting and maintaining some form of structure over the extended break can alleviate many issues that students face when having to adjust to the school schedule again. “Sit down with your kids and ask questions like, ‘What do we want to see happen in the next two weeks?’” she says. “’Where can we give you total freedom and relaxation and where can we have some things that don’t let you suffer from total brain rot by the time we get back to school in January?’ It can be difficult in the midst of a busy holiday season to take time to sit and play a game together, or watch a movie, with phones far from the action, but these are where real memories are made,” Chandler concludes.
Maintain a Sleep Schedule
As the break winds down, resetting sleep clocks is an important step toward returning to the rhythm of school. It’s normal for bed times and wake-up times to become relaxed over the long break. The key is to not let it go towards the extreme where kids are sleeping deep into the afternoon and staying up into the wee hours of the morning. That way, there’s no jolt to the system and there are no surprises when it’s time to get back to the school routine. Setting up a schedule where kids are slowly getting back to their school bedtimes and wake-up times over the course of a few days ahead of that first day back will have everyone feeling calm and ready.
Winter Break as Part of the School Year
When winter break is viewed as not separate from, but as an important part of the school year, it becomes less lawless and more manageable. Taking the time to have these collaborative conversations allows kids some autonomy to decide how they want to spend their time. And it allows families to feel like a team, getting creative while coming up with ideas. Whether it’s planning a group outing with friends, penciling in intentional restful moments, or instigating a daily “no screens or cell-phone hour” for both parents and kids, it becomes a win/win and not a fight over rules.
Ultimately, winter break is an opportunity for kids to learn how to pay attention to what serves their greater good and why. “The hope is not only for them to come back with renewed energy, but a better understanding of their passions, strengths, and how they would like to continue growing,” Chandler sums up. “You might be surprised to see how this awareness continues when they return to school.”
NOVA has over 30 years of experience in the education of highly capable students. Their expertise draws on the thousands of interactions and experiences with students over the course of that time. For more information and to learn how NOVA assists kids in understanding what healthy looks like while encouraging academic success, visit the NOVA Middle School website.
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