With the closing of schools, both students and parents are filled with excitement as the summer holidays approach. However, the focus should not be solely on report card grades. Report cards are the final step in a long process, and families also play a role in the results. Another important issue is that children continue to learn during the holidays, and parents have important responsibilities in this regard.

Saying that children's social skills and abilities developed at school should be supported during the holidays as well, Fulda Karaçiçek, a clinical psychologist at Medline Adana Hospital states "Learning does not only take place at school through reading and writing, but also on the street, with friends or at home. Successful experiences provide a sense of diligence, competence, and mastery, which boosts their self-confidence." She also shared tips on how to contribute to children's personal development while spending time with them during the holidays.

Make them feel that you are there for them

Calmly review their report card with them. If they have received a good report card, talk to them in a way that helps them understand its meaning and value. If they have received a bad report card, explain to them where they made mistakes and how they can correct them. Let them know that you trust them to correct their mistakes and that they are not alone, that their family is there for them. 

Teach them to help each other

Find and apply different ways to teach your child to help and share with others. These could include helping neighbours in need, carrying a friend's shopping bags home from the street market, or sharing their crackers with their friends.

Read a story together, watch a movie

Reading stories or watching films together is one of the easiest ways to strengthen interpersonal sharing. Talking to your child about the reactions and feelings of the characters in stories and films, and examining together how they deal with the problems they face, is a very productive and enjoyable learning method.

Encourage them to play games

The most practical way for children to discover life is through play. Through play, they discover life, express their problems, and find ways to cope with them. Therefore, spare time to play with your children, allow them to play with their peers, and help them obtain materials such as clay and paint that will facilitate the expression of their emotions.

Allow them to make friends

Friendships formed during the holidays meet children's needs for attachment and emotional safety, reducing their tendency towards social isolation. Also, remember that social and emotional development not only increases children's self-esteem but also improves their problem-solving skills.

Give them responsibilities

The responsibilities that come with school life convey the message to children that not everything ends during the holidays and that something is expected of them in the future. This increases children's expectations and hopes for the future. You can also support your children in maintaining these feelings by giving them small responsibilities during the holidays.

Make time for sports and art

Sports and art activities during school time help children find symbolic meanings in life and make it easier for them to cope with stress. Therefore, give them the opportunity to engage in sports and art during the summer holidays to encourage continuity in this area.