Engage your children in constructive work this holiday-experts

The long holiday is here and some primary seven and senior four leavers are already home idle and disorderly.

They have a lot of time and this leaves them with no option but to watch television all day yet some content broadcast on Television is not good for them.

Experts argue that it's time for parents to engage the holiday makers in constructive work so that apart from relaxing, they do one or two things that can be helpful to them and those at home.

According to Fagil Mandy, an educationist, holiday time is the only time a parent spends with or her child and it's important that they use it well to guide and groom their children. But one wonders, how can this be done?

Assign them work as you leave home

Parents are busy with work and have left their home to maids to do all the house chores leaving the children to be victims of social media.

However, assigning them work does not do any harm, but it simply shows that it is time for them to help out in some of the chores at home.

 "After assigning them, put restrictions on them to ensure that they do the work the right way and when you return, follow up to see if they have done the right thing. In case they have not, kindly explain to them how they are supposed to do the work and in case they have done it well, simply appreciate them," notes Mandy.

Dance and drama classes will benefit the children

 
Engage them in your work

Mandy says that some parents never bother to engage their children in the work and that way, the children do not get to know the kind of work their parents do.

However, taking time to go with them at your work place helps them get to know the kind of job you do and what it takes to do such a job. "This informs them that in life, one has to work hard to earn a living and in case they show interest in knowing more about your job don't ignore but let them explore," he adds.

Look out for things they are passionate about

Ronald Balisanyuka, the head teacher of Rehoboth Junior School, notes that children are passionate about certain things and parents usually ignore such things.

Holiday is the best time to look out for such things and help your children do things that they love to do. It helps a lot if they get skilled in line with the things they are passionate about.

He cites playing musical instruments, drama, crafting, drawing and painting, among others as things some children love to do.

"Encourage them to do such things to occupy them and in one way or another, they could take it to another level that could help them in life," Balisanyuka advises.

 
Introduce them to farming/gardening at home

"Urban raised children have not had a chance to know how food is grown or how farming and gardening is done but today, this has been made easy where one can come up with a small garden at home," Balisanyuka says.

"Make a small poultry, piggery or gardening farm in the back yard and let your children be in charge of managing it. However, this will require you to give them some tips on farming so that they don't mess up things. It's much better if you as a parent find time to do it with them. This will make it fun for the children," he adds.