The title of this article is a classic 1972 Alice Cooper song, School’s Out For Summer, which is happening in parts of the world with the school holidays having already begun with some students along with teaching/support staff having a well-deserved break from the classroom; formal teaching and learning.
Students all need time to relax, recharge their batteries and enjoy themselves before the next term/semester which depending on the region starts in August or early September. As the well-known proverbial saying goes ‘All work and no play make Jack a dull boy’ to which I would add ‘Jill a dull girl’, so it is ideal for students to enjoy their several weeks off from school at this time whether it be at the primary or secondary level. For some who have to get up at the crack of dawn in order to arrive at school on time, now is also the perfect opportunity to get some much-needed rest and catch up on their beauty sleep as youngsters need that more than older people.
Some students attend summer camp during this period where the activities are less structured and less formal as they are given the opportunity to socialize with others, make new friends and be as creative as possible in a different environment. That is far better than spending most of the day playing internet games and becoming ‘squared eyed’ and physically inactive, often known as a sedentary or couch potato lifestyle.
I would certainly advocate that parents/guardians insist on youngsters putting away their electronic gadgets such as the mobile phone, laptop and tablet computer and play games/sports with friends outside in the fresh air. Physical activity is a good way of energizing one’s body outdoors and also perfect for whiling away the boredom of not being in a usual structured environment such as the classroom. One is never too old to learn new things since life is always a continuous learning curve and the development of the mind and body can be enhanced by making use of outdoor pursuits during the extended school holidays. Adults certainly have a part to play in organizing events to keep their children occupied and it is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with them and get to know them better. I often hear parents complaining about teachers not being firm amongst other things and have to remind them that every child spends more time under the guidance of their parents than at school, so simply put they need to stop passing the buck and take on their parental responsibility.
One tip is to avoid being outside when the rays of the sun reach their peak or for too long as no matter what one’s skin colour one can still suffer from heat rash, sunburn and sun stroke. Without being alarmist, the sun is known to cause skin cancer in children if they are exposed to too much of it, so sometimes finding shady locations can be the preferred option. Using effective sun cream to protect the exposed parts of the body is to be encouraged and drinking lots of liquid and by that I am referring to water, to keep hydrated is of paramount importance. Although children want to be seen to be ‘cool’ pardon the pun, encouraging them to wear something on their head gives them added protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
A word of advice during these care-free days is to be mindful of my grandmother’s favourite saying ‘There is always danger where no danger shows’ and that is certainly a good starting point as if the weather is hot, youngsters like to cool off in water, whether it be the river, sea, pond, swimming pool or lake. The allure of the water can be inviting but the risks of getting into difficulties in what can sometimes appear to be tranquil water has to be emphasized. The adage ‘Still waters run deep’ strikes a chord and it is not advisable to rush or dive in even if one is a competent swimmer.
Playing on railway tracks and encouraging others to be chicken, which is running in front of moving vehicles or trains is not to be encouraged under any circumstances and is often done under peer pressure. Parents and guardians need to be mindful of that and instill safety rules and regulations in youngsters who sometimes have an air of invincibility. Some activities have to be done under supervision with responsible adults as sometimes youngsters need firm boundaries for their own safety and protection as some are not as ‘street wise’ in that regard.
There is a fine line between being a protective parent and wrapping children up in cotton wool and experts claim that the latter can actually be detrimental to a child’s development because it ‘suffocates’ their growth.
Happy holidays, enjoy them with the operative word being safety as time flies and before we realize it the ‘Back to School’ adverts will be there to remind us of the next phase of the life of students along with their parents/guardians and teachers.
London born Tony Kelly of Jamaican parents grew up in Jamaica and returned to live in Birmingham in 1979.
He is a graduate of Mico Teachers’ College and taught in Kingston high schools prior to working for 30+ years as a middle manager in central and local government with an emphasis on equity, equality, diversity and inclusion. He has a masters’ degree in socio-legal studies from the university of Birmingham.
For over a decade Tony has volunteered as a diabetes ambassador firstly for Diabetes UK and now for the National Health Service – Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group. A multi-award winner doing a yearly average of 150 health and well-being events, locally, nationally and internationally focusing on type 2 diabetes. He was diagnosed with this medical condition 18 years ago. However with a combination of physical activity and diet he has never taken medication thus proving with the right mindset and discipline it can be achieved.
As a diabetes advocate/activist Tony will continue delivering the message of healthy options to readers of CaribDirect.com .
1 comment
Great !!!!!