The Growing Child and Long Vacation: Implications on the Society

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the growing child and long vacation: implications on the society in Enugu State. Three research questions were posed to guide the study. The study adopted survey research design and was carried out in Enugu State. The population of the study was 102 lecturers consisting of lecturers in Departments of Early Childhood Education in tertiary institutions in the area. The entire population was utilized since it is a manageable population. Hence, there was no sampling. Structured questionnaire were employed as instrument for data collection. The instruments were face validated by three experts. Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.83 was obtained for the instrument. Data was collected by the researcher with the help of three research assistants. Data from the questionnaire were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for answering the research questions. Based on the data analyzed, the study identified; ten impacts of long vacation on child development in Enugu State, ten societal implications of long vacations for growing children in Enugu State and nine alternative approaches to long vacation periods for children in Enugu State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that: Educational institutions should explore balanced academic calendars that intersperse shorter breaks throughout the year which can help reduce learning regression and provide consistent learning opportunities; implement diverse and experiential learning experiences during vacation periods, including enrichment camps, travel tours, and community engagement programs; and leverage technology-driven platforms to offer interactive and engaging learning opportunities during breaks, catering to various learning styles and preferences.