‘Holiday’ originated from two English words ‘Holy’ and ‘Day’ which was originally used in religious settings.
In Christianity for example, Sunday is the generally known holy day when all work activities are set aside for a time with God.
Christians believe Sundays are rest days (Sabbath), the 7th day when God ‘rested’ from the work of creation.
Therefore, on this day, no one does any work. And truthfully, if you take a drive through Christian streets on Sundays, you’ll observe their absolute compliance.
Islam has Friday as it’s holy day. The time when Muslims converge to observe special prayers and sermons.
Implication
This concept was extended into secular life. Some days or weeks were set aside for workers to rest from work
Although the number of days vary from one organisation to another, it is still observed as an integral part of organisational structure.
Organisations like Hospitals, Telecommunications companies e.t.c that operate in a 24-hourly structure designed minor holidays called ‘Shifts or Rotations’.
All in attempt to institute the concept of ‘REST‘.
Academic Environment
Physiology and Psychology intersect in schools as much as it does in workplaces, thereby making holidays a necessity.
For children and young adults, school is the major source of stress and the only form of ‘work’ they do.
Holidays are supposed to help revitalise anatomy, physiology and psychology, which are hopeful preparation for a new phase of learning.
Taking your kids through the popular ‘holiday lessons’ can be termed a subtle ‘abuse’, although we justify it with several reasons.
Effects of Holidays
It is undeniable that, over the years, lessons during holidays help children to achieve massive academic improvements in all subjects and intensively prepares them for subsequent phases.
Unfortunately, that is the only benefit.
The disadvantages, which are usually thrown aside, affects every other aspect of life and living of a child.
Ranging from social deficiencies to parental disconnection, and eventual health problems.
Of the three umbrella concerns, parental disconnection seem to be the deepest with roots burrowing through to the future.
Parental Disconnection
By simple analysis, a child spends 6-8 hours in school everyday for 5 days of the week, some schools include weekends.
On Saturdays, the child spends half of the day on chores, the other half on academic assignments or homeworks.
Sundays, are usually reserved for church/mosques and by the time all is done in those institutions, half of the day is gone.
Parental disconnection is a grave disadvantage of holiday lessons because the time the children are supposed to be out of school, they spend it trapped in the same environment not too far from home.
Many parents give excuses of disturbances posed by their children, others say they desire the improvement of their kids.
As a result, they sentence their children to a repeat of the pattern the school sent them away from.
