Children study from morning to night, what should parents do to help their children balance?

"My child is in 12th grade at a famous specialized school in the city, and is planning to take the entrance exam to medical school. During this time, my child studies from early morning until after 9pm every day before returning home," said Ms. HVB, 48 years old, living in District 8.

Studying is so tiring that I can't eat rice.

"He "dragged" home with a tired face. The lunch box he bought to eat after school to go to extra classes was still intact. I gently asked him: "Why didn't you eat?", he just replied: "I'm so tired, I can't eat."

At that time, my husband and I asked him if he wanted anything else to eat, but he said he didn't want to eat anymore. I quickly went to make him a glass of milk to give him the energy to continue studying at night," Ms. B. said.

According to Ms. B., her child has a busy schedule like that every day. He studies at school from morning to afternoon. Then, he goes to extra classes and only comes home after 9pm. Although she feels sorry for her child, Ms. B. also believes that with the current requirements for exams, her child has to study extra and "cram" until late at night to have a chance to get into medical school.

Even many primary school students study from morning to night. Does studying so much mean that children will study well? No parent dares to confirm, but parents share that they feel secure when sending their children to extra classes. If other people's children go to extra classes but their own children do not, they are very worried.

K., who lives in Phu Nhuan district, is only in 4th grade, but she studies from morning to afternoon, then goes to extra classes such as English, math, and Vietnamese. These parents can take their children to extra classes, but when it comes to taking their children to swimming lessons, or sports , or to gifted classes such as instruments or music, they are often hesitant.

Ms. NTH, 38 years old, living in District 4, whose youngest child is in 3rd grade, shared: "I also know that playing sports and studying gifted subjects will be good for children, but taking my child to extra cultural classes gives me motivation. But thinking about taking my child to swim, to drawing classes, or to play the piano, I keep promising it for tomorrow."

"Children learn so much, will they be able to absorb all the knowledge they learn during the school day? Children sitting for so many hours a day will affect their spine and lose their creativity?", Ms. NMK, 40 years old, living in District 11, had such thoughts so she did not let her child learn any extra subjects.

Unlike many other mothers, Ms. K. believes that children should only sit in class for one session. If they are organized to study for two sessions, in the afternoon they should play sports or develop their talents..., instead of forcing them to sit all day like that.

According to Ms. K., a child who wants to develop well needs to develop harmoniously and in balance, not study from morning to night. Ms. K. always hopes that theeducation sector will reduce the workload of studying and taking exams so that children have more time to play.

Play helps children improve themselves

Doctor Dinh Thac, head of the psychology department at Children's Hospital 1 (HCMC), affirmed that playing is an important activity in children's development. At that time, children will be excited about all tasks, especially studying.

However, in today’s life, many children are confined to four walls, from home to school. They have to study a lot, and are not exposed to their favorite games. If you observe, you will see that these children are often irritable and easily aggressive with those around them.

According to Dr. Thac, relaxing and active games that involve many people such as playing ball, badminton, jogging, cycling with friends... are activities that benefit health and promote children's dexterity and teamwork. Children with such dexterity are more likely to be successful when they are born. Playing and exercising regularly also helps children have a balanced body, an activated immune system, and are less likely to get sick.

Dr. Dinh Thac also noted that children who have to sit for too many hours a day will become tired. Bones need to move to develop. Bones that cannot move will cause bone stiffness, with the risk of developmental disorders.

Doctor Dinh Thac also said that children who learn gifted subjects will have better thinking and perception, be more skillful in movement, and help reduce stress.

Educator Nguyen Thuy Uyen Phuong believes that it is not good for a child to study from morning to afternoon, then go to extra classes until late at night. According to educator Uyen Phuong, children need both types of time in a day. That is structured time (when they participate in organized activities such as studying) and time that children decide for themselves (to rest, to entertain themselves, to lie around and think...).

If children study from early morning until late at night, they will be very stressed, like a machine running non-stop. Therefore, in a day, children need time to decide for themselves to relax, the time children have the right to decide for themselves should take up at least 1/3 of their total activity time during the day.

Educator Uyen Phuong said that if Newton had not had time to sit idly under an apple tree, looking at and contemplating a random falling apple, he would not have been able to invent the Law of Universal Gravitation.

If they have free time, children often like to play with their phones and indulge in useless hobbies. To help children learn how to use their free time in a useful way, parents should help them form good habits such as reading, doing housework, and choosing healthy hobbies for themselves from a young age.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tre-hoc-tu-sang-den-toi-phu-huynh-can-lam-gi-de-giup-con-can-bang-20240317091016594.htm