The holiday season in Kenya is more than just a break from school; it is a sacred pause. It is the time when families who have spent months hustling in different directions finally sit at the same table, breathe the same air, laugh in the same room and remember that home is the first classroom. For children, it is the time to rest from the pressure of exams, rediscover hobbies and reconnect with their parents. But in this same holiday period lies a silent challenge every modern parent knows too well: trying to help children balance gadgets with books.
In many homes today, the smartphone has replaced storytelling, the tablet has replaced outdoor play, and the TV remote has replaced imagination. Children are swallowed by cartoons, TikTok dances, endless YouTube videos and video games that can entertain them for hours without offering much depth. Technology is not the enemy; far from it. It is a powerful tool that, when guided, can open doors to research, innovation, creativity and global understanding. But without boundaries, the same device that teaches can also dull the mind, slow concentration, affect sleep patterns, shrink imagination and disconnect children from real life.
The secret is not banning digital devices. The secret is parental guidance. Children must be helped to understand that gadgets are not just toys; they are instruments that can help them learn, create, explore and solve problems. Balance does not happen by accident; it is planned. This begins with setting a predictable daily routine. A household where children know what to do and when to do it rarely suffers from endless screen time battles. Let the mornings be for reading or light revision, afternoons for chores, outdoor play, visiting friends, art, music, or helping in the shamba, and evenings for controlled screen time, such as a family documentary, a quality cartoon, or a meaningful movie. A simple written routine pinned on the fridge door can restore peace, structure and discipline in a home.
Reading must be brought back to life. We grew up on stories; moonlight tales, folktales, riddles and proverbs. That is how imagination was born. Today, if a child does not see a book open in the home, reading will look like punishment. Parents must lead from the front. Let a child occasionally find you reading a newspaper, a novel, a Bible or a magazine. Create a small reading corner in the house with age-appropriate storybooks, comics, African tales and educational magazines. Let the family have a reading hour where everyone reads, then shares a summary or a lesson learned. Over time, reading stops being a school assignment and becomes a pleasure.
Screen time limits must also be clear and enforced with calm authority. It should not feel like punishment but like guidance. Tell children why limits exist. Use parental controls, screen time-tracking apps, and agreed gadget-free times, such as mealtimes or before bed. A child who understands the reason behind the rule will respect it more than a child who is only threatened into obedience.
And the holiday is not just for the mind; it is for the body and the memory. Encourage children to play football with neighbours, skip rope, ride bicycles, climb trees safely, visit grandparents, join church holiday clubs, volunteer in community service, or tend to a small garden. Take them for walks in Karura, Uhuru Park, the village riverbank or the local library. Memories of laughter, soil on their feet, and stories shared with cousins are more potent than any TikTok video.
READ ALSO:
How churches can nurture and empower teens during the school holidays
Let everyday life be a classroom. Let cooking teach them measurement and patience. Let market shopping teach budgeting and decision-making. Let storytelling teach morals. Let family meetings teach confidence and communication. Learning is not limited to textbooks; it is lived daily.
Most importantly, parents must be present. Children learn what they see. A parent glued to their phone at the dinner table cannot lecture a child about screen addiction. Put your phone down when your child is talking. Look them in the eyes. Listen. Talk. Laugh. Let them know that they are more critical than WhatsApp chats and Facebook timelines. Good habits are caught, not forced.
When a child makes progress, finishes a book, follows gadget rules, learns a new skill, celebrate it. A simple ‘I’m proud of you’ can build confidence stronger than any expensive reward.
In the end, digital parenting is not about restricting children; it is about training them to make wise choices. The holiday is a golden opportunity for parents to reset family culture. When we guide gently, consistently and lovingly, gadgets become tools, books become friends, and the home becomes a place of growth, creativity and joy.
By Isaiah Rolvin
Rolvin is an educator and writer passionate about nurturing strong families and well-grounded learners.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
