Family holiday is great for creating memories and of course, taking a breather from the stresses of the city or home life. But, although holidays are associated with a chance for parents to unwind and destress, vacations also offer opportunities for your child to reach their developmental milestones.
Studies have found that when children encounter new experiences, the existing memory structures within the brain are reshaped and ultimately impacts their linguistics, cognitive, social, as well as emotional development.
That’s right, your child might grow smarter just by taking them on a family holiday – it is definitely a win-win situation, and here are the ways it can help with their growth during their crucial early years.
It triggers their PLAY and SEEKING brain systems
As we know, holidays equal to new experiences. However, there is a science behind why we feel the way we do on holidays and why children are more content during their time away.
According to research, family holiday is a chance to exercise two systems ingrained within the brain’s limbic area known as the PLAY system and the SEEKING system. The PLAY system is exercised during playful times such as when you piggyback your child or tickle them, while the SEEKING system is used when exploring a new environment.
When these systems are activated, they trigger the release of positive neurochemicals which causes children to exhibit warm and generous feelings – they become seemingly unworried within their environment. Exercising these systems enhances brain growth and maturation of the frontal lobes, which is the part of the brain which supports their cognitive function, social intelligence and goal-oriented behaviour.
In the long run, this gives children the opportunities to develop their future selves into creative adults that have the ability to experiment with ideas.
It can improve their social-emotional interaction
Social-emotional development is the developing capacity of a child within their first five years. It is related to how they form close and secure peer or adult relationships through experience, regulating and expressing emotions in socially, as well as culturally appropriate ways.
Additionally, social interaction teaches them the importance of aspects such as teamwork and helps develop their communication skills as they encounter these new holiday experiences.
They are bound to meet people from various cultures within a new environment. Therefore, children will be exposed to people, languages and etiquettes they might not deal within their daily life.
Going on a family holiday will also mean meeting many other kids their age. New kids could equal new languages or different communication ways that will provide them with an opportunity to learn how to interact with others in an appropriate manner.
They will broaden their horizons
You might be familiar with the idea that travel is a great teacher. Likewise, children learn best when they are hands-on during a trip. As much as they learn theories and scenarios using a textbook in school, nothing comes close to actually facing them in real life.
For instance, a child who has been taught about chlorine in swimming pools will learn better if he or she is able to smell the chlorine in the water when he takes a dip. Other things that children observe and take part in while on holiday are asking for directions, reading signboards, new languages, culture and different ways people live their lives in other parts of the country and the world.
You will be creating out-of-school learning opportunities just by bringing them on a holiday and letting them explore by themselves!
They will be taught new responsibilities
Interestingly, children shoulder responsibilities better when they are out and about instead of when they are at home. If they are asked to help with folding clothes at home, they might try to get out of it but if you ask them to pack their bags for a holiday, they will jump in and get started in a jiffy.
Going on holiday allows them better accountability and responsibility, especially in situations such as sticking to the safety precautions at the pool or beach.
Moreover, older children shoulder responsibilities for their younger siblings by keeping a watchful eye to ensure they are not out of sight when the adults are away. Being in situations like these will help them to develop decision-making skills and exercise their roles, as well as responsibilities.
They can apply their knowledge in real-life situations
Kids observe and learn things very quickly. They are quick to adapt and will try to apply whatever they learn during their travel once they are back home. With enriched experiences and lifted spirits, kids will start to improve on their personal skills naturally.
Learning about a new culture, new languages, tasting new food and shouldering responsibilities will help develop them as adults as they come across more real-world knowledge.
Head to Desaru Coast for your next family getaway!
Located at the eastern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, Desaru Coast is only a mere four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur via the North-South Expressway. The journey to Desaru Coast can also serve as an opportunity to become a fun road trip and make it more exciting for your kids by stopping at interesting places along the way.
The beaches are perfect for family holidays as it is a seemingly less crowded destination - a definite plus within the standards of the new norm.
The 17-kilometre stretch of palm-fringed beaches is wide and offers families a space away from the crowds, giving you privacy for your kids to thoroughly enjoy their stay. The white sandy beach will be a great place for children to explore and have fun while you can rest and relax.
Desaru Coast is only a four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and there are four resorts – Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, the Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas and One&Only Desaru Coast – that are all within close proximity to the beach!
Besides that, the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast offers kids thrilling experiences and houses one of the biggest wave pools in the world. They have age-appropriate water lay equipment and a 350-meter lazy river, among other attractions.
Desaru is also accessible via flight - it is a one hour journey to Senai International Airport and another hour shuttle to Desaru Coast.
So, are you ready to plan your next family holiday? Visit desarucoast.com for more information and to book your stay!
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