With the end of the school year and the start of the long-awaited summer break, the debate flares up every year about the length of the school-free period and the supposed "summer forgetfulness." However, experts like Isabella Ecker, head of the Children, Youth, and Family Department at Hilfswerk Österreich (Austrian Relief Organization), emphasize that poor grades are not a big deal, and that the summer break does not conjure up a great forgetfulness.
Rather, breaks are essential for the mental and physical development of children and adolescents. The brain, like a muscle, needs to relax after intense exercise. Properly used holidays that provide time for rest and stimulating leisure activities can not only promote recovery but even stabilize some skills and facilitate the return to school in the fall.
The indispensable role of breaks for development and learning processes
Social discussion about the summer holidays is often dominated by the concern that children and young people might forget what they have learned during the long break from school. However, psychologists and educators point out that this assumption misunderstands the deeper significance of breaks. Isabella Ecker from Hilfswerk Austria explains unequivocally: "Breaks are essential for the mental and physical development of children and young people. Like a muscle, the brain needs to relax after intense exercise." This metaphor illustrates that continuous exertion without recovery phases leads to overload and reduced performance. For the brain, this means that it needs time to process and consolidate information and prepare itself for new content.
According to Ecker, the first half of the summer holidays should therefore be entirely dedicated to relaxation. This means time for relaxation, plenty of exercise in nature, family activities, and all those interests and hobbies that often get neglected during the busy school year. This might include immersing yourself in the world of books, trying out new sports, or simply playing outside undisturbed. This free development is important not only for physical well-being, but also for mental health and the development of a balanced personality.
Creative thinking instead of “summer forgetting”: The complexity of learning
According to aid expert Ecker, the oft-cited phenomenon of "summer forgetting," the loss of learning content during the holidays, is less fatal than often claimed. While there is a certain loss of what has been learned, the long break simultaneously promotes other important cognitive skills, especially creative thinking. The research on this is complex. Ecker emphasizes: "Of course, children and young people forget a lot over the summer. But stimulating leisure activities can even stabilize some skills."
Intrinsic motivation plays a crucial role here. When children and young people read of their own accord, they improve their reading skills. While cooking or doing crafts, mathematical skills are developed incidentally, without it being perceived as a school task. "Learning from intrinsic motivation is significantly more sustainable," says Ecker. This means that knowledge acquired through personal curiosity and enjoyment is often more deeply ingrained and easier to recall than content learned under pressure or coercion. The holidays offer a unique opportunity for this kind of "different learning," away from curricula and pressure to perform.
The concept of "summer forgetfulness" has often been overemphasized in the past, especially in countries with long summer holidays. However, recent research shows that the loss of academic skills is often not as drastic as assumed and can be compensated for by extracurricular activities. Rather, the fostering of creativity, problem-solving, and social skills, which flourish in a relaxed holiday atmosphere, is invaluable for children's overall development.
Curiosity as a driving force and the need for balance
Isabella Ecker describes children's natural curiosity as the true driving force of learning. Even as toddlers, children try to understand the world through questions and recognize relationships between things, whether while traveling or on their doorstep. "Questions arise from curiosity – the true driving force of learning," explains Ecker. During the holidays, without the rigid framework of a timetable, children and young people can delve deeper into their interests and perhaps discover new talents. Ecker emphasizes: "Learning doesn't just take place in school." This is an important message that should encourage parents to give their children freedom for their own discoveries and unguided learning processes.
The emphasis on breaks and free time is also a response to the increasing pressure students have been exposed to in recent years. Numerous studies show that students are under increasing stress, that free time is becoming scarce, and that the psychological effects of school stress are becoming increasingly apparent. Ecker points out: "There have been numerous studies in recent years that have shown that students are under increasing pressure. Free time is scarce, and the psychological effects of school stress are always apparent." A balanced relationship between learning and free time is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain the joy of learning. Interaction with nature, for example, has a positive effect on inner balance and supports the ability to concentrate. "We all know that people under stress are less creative, have difficulty remembering things, and feel unbalanced. This is precisely why we all urgently need sufficient breaks," says Ecker.
From the drama of the “five” to a successful school restart
Despite the importance of relaxation, even the best holidays eventually come to an end. For a successful start to school in the fall, a gentle return to regular everyday life is advisable, especially for younger children. This includes reminding children of the material they are learning in small portions, preferably in a playful and casual way. This can be done through short exercises, thematically appropriate games, or reading books together, without it feeling like rigorous learning. Isabella Ecker suggests: "If parents also awaken their children's joy in the new beginning, the start of school will be easier for them. After all, they will see their school friends again, and perhaps a new school bag, pretty pens, or a pencil case they have chosen themselves will sweeten the start of school." Such small incentives can significantly increase children's motivation to start school.
Grades on a report card that require a re-examination (“Nachzipf”) pose a particular challenge. The situation is more serious here, and longer lead times are required. Intensive preparation with vacation courses, summer school, or tutoring should be organized before the start of the vacation. Nevertheless, Ecker recommends dedicating July to rest and not beginning targeted preparation for the re-examinations until August. Starting early is important so that the learning material can be broken down into easily digestible portions. But even here, rest periods are essential and must be taken into account. “The children and young people affected should definitely be involved in the planning,” advises Ecker. “Especially with older students, talk calmly about their resolutions for the new school year.” This gives young people an active role and strengthens their personal responsibility.
Dealing with bad grades is also particularly important. A grade of five on a report card is "no big deal," and parents shouldn't dramatize it either. Especially when grades are poor, children need even more support and affection, Ecker emphasizes. This helps them better cope with the disappointment of their own performance and the stress of retaking the exam. Hilfswerk Österreich offers professional help and counseling in family crisis situations via a toll-free hotline, underscoring the importance of support and understanding for children's mental health.