Khaleej Times

Camps encourage children to push beyond their comfort zone

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In the old days, summer activities would mean enjoying the sun and outdoors, the ideal time to practise a new sport or learn a new skill. But those good old days are long gone and replaced with the digital age of mobile games and devices.

The importance of finding the right summer programme and getting children enrolled cannot be overstated. The long break from school need not be replaced with idle time but instead be used to enrich day to day learning through play, sports and other team based activities.

Meaningful bonds

We have childhood friends whom we grew up with and feel a connection to this day. Children can be acquainted with new peers and form lasting bonds. Use this opportunit­y to let them forge new friendship­s. It’s important for kids to have a strong sense of community and belonging.

Conquering limits

An effective way to develop new skills is by encouragin­g children to push beyond their comfort zone and attempt challengin­g feats. Summer camps are a safe learning environmen­t where children can try new things and discover hidden talents. The pursuit to explore new talent and endure past challenges can build up leadership qualities in

Summer camps are the perfect opportunit­y for children to form positive habits through physical activity and healthy eating

children. It provides them a sense of achievemen­t which they’ll carry until they grow old.

Healthy living

With obesity at alarming rates globally and in the UAE, a healthy lifestyle has become a form of necessity for adults and children of all ages. Summer camps are the perfect opportunit­y for children to form positive habits through physical activity and healthy eating. There are also a number of fun programmes that offer cooking classes for children and also reinforce the importance of nutritious meals.

Curb summer learning loss

It is crucial to keep the minds of children active during the long summer break as the absence of academic work could result in knowledge loss, also known as the ‘summer slide’. Many summer camps offer fun and interactiv­e refresher courses in English, Math, reading & spelling to help maintain the process of learning.

As most parents would recall, our most memorable summer breaks were those spent with friends, learning new activities or enjoying the outdoors. We owe it to the younger generation to help them steer towards an enriching future of self-developmen­t and not one where looking back they will find difficulty recollecti­ng any experience worthy of meaning.

 ??  ?? Farid Gasim Founder of Edarabia. com, the number one Education Guide in the Middle East
Farid Gasim Founder of Edarabia. com, the number one Education Guide in the Middle East

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