Keep children engaged in light mental activities during winter break: Schools

As students across the UAE ease into a month-long winter break, headteachers are urging families to keep young minds engaged — not to pile on academics, but to avoid what educators describe as “learning regression”.

- Nandini Sircar [e-mail]

Schools warn that a complete academic shutdown can leave pupils playing catch-up when they return to class on January 5.

This year’s holiday stretches to four full weeks — from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026, with December 5, 2025, being the last working day in international curricula schools.

Principals emphasised that rest is essential, but they also warn that a complete academic shutdown can leave pupils playing catch-up when they return to class on January 5.

For many educators, the concern is not hypothetical but backed by trends they see year after year.

Headteachers explained that the break should indeed help children “restore”, but cautioned that research indicates how prolonged academic inactivity can slow momentum.

Principal of Woodlem British School, Ajman, Natalia Klykova, said: “Winter break should restore children, but research reminds us that a full academic disconnect can lead to a 20-30 per cent dip in learning momentum. We think it’s important to find a healthy balance between real rest and light mental activity.”