School Holidays a Key Moment for Children to Learn Independence Through Outdoor Activities

The school holiday period often presents a unique challenge for parents. Without a structured learning schedule, children tend to get trapped in passive activities, particularly screen time on gadgets. This phenomenon is known in psychology as the Structured Days Hypothesis, where the loss of daily routine causes children’s physical activity and sleep duration to decline drastically. Yet, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that school-aged children remain physically active for at least 60 minutes every day. Responding to this, Child Psychologist from Tiga Generasi, Saskhya Aulia Prima, M.Psi., stressed that holidays should be a momentum for children to explore their environment through adventurous play. Adventurous play is a type of play that is slightly challenging and exciting, such as climbing trees or running freely. According to Saskhya, this activity is not merely physical play, but the foundation for building a resilient character. “Through this play, children learn to face uncertainty, manage risk, and dare to make independent decisions. Too many restrictions actually risk making children view the outside world as a dangerous place,” said Saskhya during the Community Playdate: Eksplorasi Tanpa Rasa Khawatir event. Research data supports the importance of physical exploration for children’s mental health. While encouraging children to explore freely, Saskhya introduced the concept of supervision partnership. In this model, parents are present as a companion (secure base) without needing to control excessively. Parental calmness is considered key so that children feel safe when trying new things. One thing to watch out for is the ability of interoception, or recognising bodily signals, which is not yet perfect in primary school children. Often, children do not realise they are thirsty or tired because it is masked by excitement. Behavioural changes such as fussiness or lethargy could be early signals of dehydration or overheating. “Don’t immediately stop the play. Invite the child to do a ‘pit stop’ or a short break in a shady place to meet their body’s fluid needs,” added Saskhya. Addressing parents’ concerns about their children’s physical condition while playing outside, Cap Kaki Tiga Anak, through its Langkah Awal #BaikUntukAnak campaign, is committed to supporting this exploration space. Senior Brand Manager of Cap Kaki Tiga Anak, Jesica Christianty, stated that a strong mental foundation cannot be formed solely indoors. “We understand the mother’s dilemma. Children need exploration, but health remains paramount. Our product has been formulated since 2013 with Gypsum Fibrosum and Calcitum content to help reduce body heat and maintain children’s digestive comfort,” explained Jesica. This product has obtained BPOM approval, halal certification, and the Alochoice award from Alodokter. With proper preparation, the school holidays can be an effective means to produce a generation that is independent, brave, and resilient in facing future challenges.