School holidays should nurture children's talents and practical life skills

With learners currently at home, parents and guardians have an opportunity to make the holiday more meaningful than a period of sleeping late, watching television and spending endless hours on mobile phones. While children deserve adequate rest after a demanding school term, their free time can also be used to nurture talents, acquire practical skills and strengthen personal responsibility.

Education should not be confined to the four walls of a classroom. Some of life's most valuable lessons are acquired through observation, practice, participation and interaction with the people around us.

Kenya's Competency-Based Education (CBE) philosophy recognises this reality. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), through the Basic Education Curriculum Framework, identifies seven core competencies that learners should develop. These include communication and collaboration, self-efficacy, critical thinking and problem-solving, creativity and imagination, citizenship, digital literacy and learning to learn.

These competencies demonstrate that education is not simply about accumulating information. It is about developing individuals who can apply knowledge, make sound decisions, respond to challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.

The holiday therefore presents an excellent opportunity for parents to complement classroom learning with practical experiences at home and within their communities.

A child who enjoys music can be encouraged to learn an instrument, join a local music group or develop vocal skills. Those interested in dance, drama, drawing, photography, tailoring and other creative activities can be supported to explore their abilities. Others may discover an interest in agriculture through kitchen gardening, poultry keeping, tree planting or simple food production activities.

Equally important are everyday life skills. Children can learn to prepare meals, maintain personal hygiene, organise their surroundings, manage small amounts of money and undertake household responsibilities appropriate to their ages. Such activities cultivate discipline, patience, accountability and independence.

These experiences may appear ordinary, but they prepare children for responsibilities that academic instruction alone may not fully address.

Research supports the importance of practical engagement in childhood development. Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child explains that meaningful activities and repeated practice help children strengthen executive function and self-regulation. These abilities enable them to plan, maintain attention, control impulses, manage frustration and complete tasks. Such capacities are essential not only in academic work but also in relationships and everyday decision-making.

There is also a strong connection between acquiring practical skills and developing self-efficacy. When a child learns to make something, grow a plant, perform before an audience or complete a task independently, the experience builds confidence. The child begins to appreciate personal abilities and develops the courage to tackle more challenging activities.

This is particularly important in a society where children are increasingly exposed to digital platforms and online influences. The internet offers immense educational opportunities, but excessive and unsupervised use can expose young people to harmful content, unhealthy comparisons and undesirable social influences.

Rather than merely confiscating gadgets or condemning technology, parents should help children establish a healthy balance. Structured activities, hobbies, community participation and family responsibilities provide constructive alternatives to excessive screen time. They also create opportunities for children to interact with positive role models, form healthy friendships and appreciate the value of productive use of time.

Parents must, however, understand that nurturing a skill is not about imposing their unfulfilled ambitions on their children. Every child has unique interests, abilities and aspirations. Our responsibility is to observe, encourage and provide opportunities for exploration without turning talent development into another source of pressure.

The Bible offers timeless wisdom on this responsibility. Proverbs 22:6 instructs parents to train children in the way they should go, while Deuteronomy 6:6–7 encourages adults to teach God's commandments diligently to their children in the ordinary routines of life. These passages remind us that upbringing is a continuous responsibility, not an assignment left exclusively to teachers and schools.

Training a child goes beyond correcting misconduct. It involves modelling honesty, respect, compassion, perseverance, responsibility and self-discipline. Children learn more from what adults practise than from what they merely preach. A parent who demonstrates accountability, hard work and respect is already providing a valuable lesson.

The community also has a role to play. Skilled artisans, farmers, musicians, sports coaches and entrepreneurs can expose children to practical experiences and mentorship. Churches, community organisations and youth groups can provide supervised spaces where young people discover talents, develop teamwork and engage in constructive activities.

Such engagement can strengthen communities as well. Through environmental conservation, tree planting, community clean-ups, cultural activities and agricultural projects, children begin to appreciate that their abilities can serve purposes beyond personal advancement. They develop a sense of citizenship and understand the importance of collective responsibility.

As Kenya continues implementing CBE, the conversation about skills should extend beyond classroom assessments. Senior School pathways and the broader education and training system recognise diverse talents and abilities. Not every learner will follow an identical academic or professional route. Technical, creative, entrepreneurial and practical competencies deserve equal respect and deliberate nurturing.

Ultimately, a child who performs exceptionally well academically but struggles to communicate effectively, manage personal responsibilities, solve everyday problems or work harmoniously with others may encounter difficulties when confronted with the demands of adult life. Equally, learners with practical abilities should never feel inferior because their talents do not necessarily translate into outstanding examination grades.

We must therefore broaden our understanding of success. Academic excellence matters, but so does the ability to earn an honest living, create opportunities, adapt to changing circumstances and contribute meaningfully to society.

The school holiday should not be viewed as an interruption to education. It can be an extension of learning, where children discover that knowledge has practical value and that their hands, minds and talents can work together.

Perhaps the greatest gift parents can give their children this holiday is not another expensive gadget or endless entertainment, but an opportunity to discover what they can do, what they can become and how their abilities can make a difference.

After all, we are not raising children merely to graduate from school. We are raising responsible human beings who must eventually stand on their own, make sound decisions and find their place in society.

The writer can be reached at:jackiekebongo@gmail.com