Experience leads to growth.

GD&TĐ - Not only in urban areas, but also in rural Ca Mau, parents are increasingly interested in enrolling their children in life skills training courses during the summer.

Learning while playing

Driven by practical needs, this year the Ca Mau Provincial Children's House launched a training course titled "Journey of Experience for Growth." The first course attracted over 50 students, many from rural areas. In just four days, the children were guided through topics such as: learning to be firefighters; preventing abuse and school violence; drowning prevention skills; and the value of gratitude. In addition, they were guided and practiced self-reliance and self-care skills such as shopping, cooking, washing and drying clothes, organizing bedding, and developing communication and teamwork skills.

Eleven-year-old Nguyen Phuong Nha (U Minh, Ca Mau) shared that she found the course beneficial and meaningful, allowing her to have fun while also developing life skills. “The teachers and staff guided me through the process of buying different kinds of vegetables at the market. They also instructed us on how to carefully check labels, origins, and expiration dates when buying produce; how to choose fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish… They even taught us how to cook dishes using the produce we bought. After the course, I was able to help my mother cook family meals, or when she was away, I could prepare meals for myself,” Phuong Nha said.

Participating in the course, 10-year-old Hoang Ngoc Bao (Song Doc, Ca Mau) shared: "Previously, during the summer, I stayed home playing games or gathered with my friends in the neighborhood to play some traditional folk games. This year, my parents allowed me to participate in the 'Journey of Experience for Growth' course, and I feel happy and have developed many useful and necessary skills in life. If I understand and practice well, it will not only benefit me but also help others."

Ms. La Thi To Quyen, Head of the Teamwork Methods Department at the Ca Mau Provincial Children's House, said that initially, many children were shy when participating in the course, and some even cried because they missed their parents and family. However, with the guidance and care of the staff and teachers, the children quickly integrated, played with their friends, and enthusiastically participated in the activities.

“I noticed that after the course, the children were more confident, brought positive energy, and had a cheerful spirit when they returned home. In the future, the Provincial Children's House will continue to open more similar classes, contributing to creating a healthy playground for children during the summer, helping them learn and play at the same time, and develop comprehensively, from physical to mental,” Ms. Quyen informed.

Children learn to be firefighters. Photo: QM

Diverse experiential activities

Not only the Children's House, but many units, localities, and schools in Ca Mau province also organize many experiential activities, attracting the participation of students and children in the area during the summer. A typical example is the Summer Retreat organized at Kim Son Pagoda (Hoa Thanh, Ca Mau).

“Here, the children listen to sermons about filial piety towards their grandparents and parents; love for their homeland, and are trained in some communication skills and preventing abuse… The course not only creates a meaningful playground for the children, equipping them with useful knowledge and skills in life, but also cultivates and nurtures their morals, pure souls, healthy and virtuous lives, helping them develop comprehensively in morality, intellect and physical health,” shared Venerable Nun Thich Nu Dieu Chanh, Abbess of Kim Son Pagoda.

To meet the growing needs of parents, especially in urban areas, some preschools in Ca Mau province, particularly private ones, maintain childcare services during the summer. Unlike the regular school curriculum, summer classes primarily focus on recreational activities, experiential learning, and developing soft skills for students.

“Hanh Phuc Kindergarten (An Xuyen, Ca Mau) currently has 5 summer classes, each with 15-20 children. During the childcare period from June to August, the school focuses on caring for the children and organizing fun activities and experiences such as: children learning to be farmers (planting, caring for, and harvesting vegetables); participating in pottery making, fishing, practicing being doctors, teachers, reporters... Depending on the children's age, the school will arrange appropriate activities to create joy and excitement for them,” shared Ms. Nguyen Mai Huong - Deputy Principal of Hanh Phuc Kindergarten.

Ms. Tran Minh Nguyet (An Xuyen, Ca Mau), whose child is 5 years old, shared: Due to her busy work schedule and lack of time to care for her child, she sends her to daycare during the summer. “I want my child to have a fun summer, not just studying. The school's curriculum focuses mainly on fun activities and developing life skills, so I feel reassured sending my child there. Compared to just staying at home and watching phones, I find my child happier participating in the classes. When she comes home, she often shares that she learned how to do housework, which makes us happy too,” Ms. Nguyet said.

"Developing life skills for children during the summer not only provides them with more experiences but also plays a crucial role in their growth. Especially for children in rural areas, these activities will help them develop comprehensively, from physical to mental aspects, and better prepare them for the future."

With that in mind, the Ca Mau Provincial Youth Union actively coordinates with the Department of Education and Training and local authorities to organize many recreational activities and life skills training for students during the summer. In particular, they maintain free swimming lessons to train water survival skills and reduce drowning accidents,” shared Mr. Tran Dang Khoa, Deputy Secretary of the Ca Mau Provincial Youth Union.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/trai-nghiem-de-truong-thanh-post738490.html