Children need to participate in enriching activities during the summer. Photo: MOC TRA
Recently, many parents have been paying more attention to training children in self-care and self-protection skills. Besides focusing on physical health and recreational activities, children's mental well-being also needs proper care. This is a time when children have more time to explore themselves, develop emotions, and build social skills. Ms. Tran Kim Phi, a resident of Rach Gia ward, said: “For me, summer is an opportunity for parents to spend more time with their children. Conversations about school, friends, hobbies, or what children are worried about can help parents better understand their children's inner world .”
Because the children's father is often away, Ms. Phi always makes time for her children to maintain a close bond with him. Her 10-year-old daughter, after just a few weeks of summer vacation, taught herself to make jelly dessert so they could enjoy it together when her father came home. For Ms. Phi, these small but positive actions of her children are always cherished and nurtured. Because, according to her, not all children easily express their emotions through words. "I don't want to constantly ask questions or give too much advice. The important thing is to listen and create a safe environment for them to share. Summer is a time when family members have more opportunities to be together, so I try to pay attention so that my children feel respected and understood," Ms. Phi shared.
Simple summer experiences can also contribute to improving children's mental health. Understanding this, Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan, residing in Binh An commune, always proactively connects with the children in her family, creating opportunities for them to participate in many beneficial activities such as reading, drawing, making crafts, caring for plants, or playing sports . Every evening, Ms. Xuan often takes the children to the bookstore to choose their favorite books. Sometimes the whole group sits together to read, sometimes she buys coloring books or simple drawing books so that the children at home with their grandparents can still have fun, be creative, and practice their communication skills.
According to Ms. Xuan, during the summer holidays, children's screen time on phones, tablets, and video games often increases significantly. Technology offers many benefits, but overuse can affect sleep, communication skills, and mental health. Therefore, instead of completely banning it, she usually discusses with family members to agree on a plan for caring for and educating children during the summer. As a result, Ms. Xuan's house is always filled with laughter when relatives come to visit. The family also establishes appropriate rules regarding screen time and encourages children to participate in alternative activities such as exercise, reading, and spending time with family. Family meals, short trips, or simply everyday conversations all contribute to creating a sense of connection, love, and safety for children.
For the family of Ms. Le Thi Phuong Anh, residing in Thanh Loc commune, summer is an opportunity for the whole family to explore historical sites. She said that her family usually makes time for a trip together every week. “Every weekend, my family tries to dedicate time for the children to go sightseeing. The two children love learning about history, so they often want to visit places associated with historical stories like Mo So, Hang Hon... This summer, I will take them to the places they want to explore,” Ms. Phuong Anh shared.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/trao-cho-tre-mua-he-dung-nghia-a488820.html
