In many parts of the world, summer holidays last for at least two months for primary and secondary students. While these extended breaks have evident benefits for children’s well-being, there are strong arguments to prioritize learning over long holidays.
On the one hand, long school holidays have valuable impacts on teenagers’ mental and physical health. Having an extended holiday provides teenagers with plenty of time to spend quality time with their families, which strengthens relationship bonds and gives them a sense of being supported. Futhermore, having sufficient rest also enables students to study more efficiently and productively for the following courses contributing to better performance. In terms of physical health, summer holidays are considered a time for children to develop numerous habits, especially sporty ones, resulting in improvement in their appearance. For instance, during a long holidays, children tend to take part in swimming or football clubs daily, which helps them stay healthy.
On the other hand, some advocate that shorter holidays can contribute to better knowledge comprehension. As after a long break, many students find it difficult to revise what they have learnt, the demand for time to review previous lessons before studying new topics rises. Shorter holidays also help children maintain good study habits and a regular daily routine, making it easier for them to adapt a faster learning pace. This faster pace can enable children to become sharper when dealing with academic exams, leading to higher scores.
In conclusion, long holidays are highly beneficial for students’ physical fitness and family relationships, while shorter holidays are much better for keeping their academic knowledge fresh. In my opinion, a balanced school calendar with shorter but more frequent breaks will take full advantage of these preferences.