Making the Most of the School Vacation: 5 Things Every Parent Can Do

Vacation in Ghana has its own special rhythm.

There are family visits, trips to the hometown, church activities, football in the neighbourhood, long afternoons at home, helping around the house and, of course, the inevitable question:

“Mummy, I’m bored!” 😄

After a demanding school year, vacation is an opportunity for children to slow down and recharge. But it is also a wonderful time to nurture their well-being, independence, curiosity and connection with family.

Here are five simple ways families can make the most of the vacation.

1. ❤️ Let Them Reconnect with Family

For many children, vacation is one of the best opportunities to reconnect with the wider family.

Visit grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins. Take a trip to the hometown. Let children hear family stories, learn about where their parents grew up and spend meaningful time with relatives.

These experiences help children develop a sense of belonging, identity and connection.

And sometimes, sitting with Grandma while she tells stories about "when your mother was your age" can teach a child more than we realise.

2. 🧹 Give Them Responsibilities at Home

Vacation doesn't mean children should spend the entire day watching YouTube or playing games.

Let them contribute to family life.

Depending on their age, they can:

• Sweep the compound

• Make their bed

• Wash plates

• Fold clothes

• Help prepare food

• Organise their room

• Go shopping with a parent

• Help care for younger siblings

• Assist with simple errands

These aren't simply chores.

They are opportunities to develop responsibility, independence and life skills.

A child who knows how to organise their schoolbag but cannot organise their own room still has some growing to do! 😊

3. ⚽ Encourage Play, Movement and the Outdoors

Children need to move.

Encourage them to play football with friends, ride a bicycle, swim, dance, walk, play ampe, explore the neighbourhood or simply spend time outdoors.

For younger children, traditional games can be especially valuable.

Alikoto, ampe, pilolo, hide-and-seek and skipping games can provide exercise, social interaction and plenty of laughter without requiring a smartphone.

And if your child spends hours on a screen, try balancing it with some time outside.

A healthy child needs both technology and fresh air.

4. 📱 Help Them Find Balance with Screens

Let's be honest—vacation can quickly become Screen Vacation! 😂

Phones, tablets, TikTok, YouTube, gaming and television can easily take over the day when children have no school routine.

Rather than making screens the enemy, help children develop healthy habits around them.

Try having:

• Screen-free family meals

• Specific times for gaming

• Outdoor or creative activities before extended screen time

• Screen-free periods before bedtime

• Family activities that don't involve devices

Most importantly, model the behaviour you want to see.

Children notice when we tell them to put their phones away while we are busy scrolling through ours.

5. 🌱 Give Them Time to Rest, Explore and Just Be

Not every part of vacation needs to be productive.

Children have spent months learning, completing assignments, preparing for tests and following school routines.

They need time to rest.

Let them sleep. Let them play. Let them read something they actually enjoy. Let them draw, cook, build something, listen to music or explore an interest.

And yes, let them occasionally be bored.

Because sometimes, when there is nothing immediately available to entertain them, a child will suddenly decide to:

“I want to build something.”

That's where creativity begins.

💙 Vacation Is About the Whole Child

At Riverside Academy, we believe that education is not only about what happens inside the classroom.

Our children need to grow academically, physically, socially and emotionally.

So this vacation, let's not focus only on whether our children are keeping up with their books.

Let's also ask:

Are they resting?

Are they happy?

Are they connecting with family?

Are they playing?

Are they learning to become more independent?

Because sometimes, the most valuable learning during vacation happens away from the classroom.

From all of us at Riverside Academy 💙

We wish our students and families a safe, joyful and refreshing vacation.

Enjoy the family time.Play.Rest.Explore.Laugh.

And when we return, let's come back rested, refreshed and ready to grow together.

Riverside Academy

Growing Together. Flourishing Tomorrow.