The Importance of Summer Classes

Importance of summer classes

Importance of summer classesSummer vacations are no longer what they used to be. Gone are the days when kids used to stay at home and do their holiday homework. Parents nowadays are more interested in putting their children in hobby or summer classes during summer vacations. Things have definitely changed, but what has led to this change? Is it a change in lifestyle, modernisation or changing family structure?

The concept of summer classes has transformed the holiday period into a learning and fun-filled time for kids. Even before the beginning of summer vacations, parents start looking for workshops or hobby classes where they can enroll their kids. This demand has led to mushrooming of summer camps and activity clubs in almost every city of India. According to the Assocham Social Development Foundation (ASDF), summer camps will become a Rs. 1,000 crore industry by 2017-18.

The ASDF findings claim that higher disposable income and emergence of nuclear families are some of the main reasons for the rapid growth of the summer camp industry in India. Another finding of the survey, that had covered around 3,000 parents from Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Dehradun during April 2013, says that parents are ready to spend Rs. 2,000 to 6,000 on a single child during summer classes.

Another reason for the popularity of summer classes is the desperation of parents who want their kids to know everything. Increasing trends of nuclear families and working parents have also given a push to summer classes in India. Working parents want their kids to be in safe hands while they are away at work. They feel that a summer camp serves a dual purpose as it not only give kids a chance to learn something new but he or she can spend quality time with other children. Summer camp teaches kids to work in a group and also makes them self-reliable and independent. Hence, the concept of summer classes is gaining momentum.

There are many options when it comes to choosing summer classes. You can choose from a wide range of activities such as dance, art and craft, swimming to baking, cookery and more. Apart from local classes, the summer camps are even organised by brands like Eurokids, Funskool and others. You can also put your kids in swimming, skating or karate classes; the choice is all yours. I feel that though summer classes keep the schedule a bit busy, they are important for the overall personality development of the child. Moreover, it is important to keep children busy in extracurricular activities. Through these activities, children will learn new things that will help them in their overall growth.

What is your opinion? Do our kids need summer classes or should they enjoy summer vacations at home?