UNAIR NEWS – As Christmas and New Year holiday season approaches, an extended school break becomes a long-awaited period for many children. After completing a full semester of structured academic routines, the holidays are often seen as a time to step away from school-related demands. Dr. Nur Ainy Fardana Nawangsari, M.Si., Psychologist, a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), said the holiday period plays an important role in supporting children’s overall growth and development.
Dr. Nawangsari explained that holidays are essential for maintaining children’s physical and psychological well-being. During the school term, children are exposed to routines that place heavy demands on their cognitive, physical, and emotional capacities. A break from these routines allows them to recharge while opening opportunities to gain new experiences outside the academic setting.
“What is truly restored during the holiday period is not just physical energy, but also children’s mental state and lived experiences. Through new experiences, children feel more at ease and begin to see their own potential, and the world around them, from different perspectives,” she said.
Holidays do not have to be costly
Dr. Nawangsari further emphasized that meaningful holiday experiences do not require expensive trips or elaborate plans. Parents, she said, can create simple activities at home that help children detach from academic routines. In this way, holidays can also serve as valuable moments to strengthen family relationships.
“Activities can be very simple. Children can be invited to work on small projects at home, or if parents run a business, children can be involved in those activities. Encourage them to try things they normally cannot do because of busy school schedules. These experiences can be very meaningful for them,” she explained.
However, Dr. Nawangsari cautioned that holiday activities should not be framed around rigid goals or expectations. Such pressure, she said, can undermine the restorative purpose of the holidays. Instead, the break should provide space for play and self-expression, allowing children to better understand their personalities and explore their abilities beyond the structured environment of school.
Role of parents
Dr. Nawangsari added that parental involvement is a key factor in ensuring holidays become a meaningful experience for children. Since each child has different traits and needs, parents must be sensitive and responsive when accompanying and facilitating holiday activities. “Parents can simply ask children what they would like to do during the break. Even if traveling is not an option, children can still choose activities they enjoy at home,” she said.
She concluded by stressing that while holidays are often viewed as a period of freedom for children, parental supervision remains important. Extended free time, she warned, should not leave children vulnerable to activities or information that could negatively affect their development or safety.
“Parents should facilitate activities that encourage creativity and allow children to explore their positive potential, while continuing to monitor their activities and safeguard their health, both physically and mentally, throughout the holiday period,” she concluded.
Author: Fania Tiara Berliana M
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
