Children and Young People's Brains Need Rest in the Summer

– Boredom is healthy. Through it, one can find their own creative idea: get inspired to draw, explore the local environment, or start reading, encourages Silja Kosola, Director of Research for the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County and docent of adolescent medicine.

Many children and young people seek activities during the summer holidays when parents are at work. Lack of activities can easily lead to increased screen time and social media use.

– For the summer holiday to serve its purpose, which is for the child or young person to recover from stress, it is healthy to reduce screen time. It is not good for growing brains to spend the entire summer in front of a screen. I encourage guardians to set clear boundaries and stick to them. Recent studies show that children and young people wish for stricter boundaries from parents regarding the use of smartphones and devices. Let's be gently firm with children and young people, Kosola encourages.

Kosola also urges parents to collaborate and take turns particularly in caring for children of primary school age. Children can also be encouraged to do something useful, perhaps with a small reward.

– Trips to amusement parks and zoos don't have to be automatic. They can be rewards for doing something useful. For example, reading 10 books, helping grandparents, or doing small household chores. This gives the child a good feeling and a sense of competence, says Kosola.

The Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County collaborates with municipalities, organizations, and many other actors to promote wellbeing and health. We have compiled tips for summer activities and events for children and young people in Western Uusimaa on our website.  

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