CONTINUOUS LEARNING DURING RAMADAN AND CHINESE NEW YEAR: SMALL STEPS, BIG PROGRESS

Festive seasons like Ramadan and Chinese New Year are meaningful times for families. These are the moments filled with reflection, gratitude, celebration and togetherness. While routines naturally shift during these special months, learning does not need to stop. In fact, consistent learning during festive periods is able to support children in developing resilience, responsibility and confidence – which are all valuable skills required even after the celebrations end.

Why Continuous Learning Matters

Children often leave school routines behind during festive breaks, which may lead to slower adjustment once regular schedules resume. Maintaining a simple, consistent learning habit even for a brief period each day enables children to:

• Stay mentally active
• Retain and strengthen academic skills
• Adjust smoothly when school restarts
• Build discipline and self-motivation

Learning doesn’t need to feel like a chore during festive seasons. With the right structure, it can still become a meaningful part of the period.

Learning During Ramadan

Ramadan encourages calmness, patience and reflection, which are values that complement focused learning beautifully. While energy levels fluctuate throughout the day, learning in short sessions keeps the mind active and maintains progress.

Here are some helpful learning tips during Ramadan:

• Choose optimal study times. Many children focus better after sahur or in the evening before iftar. Find a time when your child feels most alert.
• Keep sessions short but consistent. Even 15 to 20 minutes a day reinforces understanding and habit.
• Focus on gentle, meaningful learning. Reading, writing practice and simple Maths revision are great options during this period.
• Encourage calm, independent study. Ramadan naturally inspires self-discipline — a wonderful mindset for learning.
• Balancing rest, worship, family time and learning teaches children time management and spiritual reflection while continuing to grow academically.

Learning During Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a festive season filled with joy, gatherings, traditions and excitement. While it is a time for celebration, brief learning moments can still be integrated smoothly into the holiday schedule.

Ideas for continued learning during CNY:

• Morning learning before festivities begin. A brief session helps maintain discipline and frees the day for celebrations.
• Incorporate cultural activities. Reading about Chinese New Year traditions, writing couplets or practising counting with Ang Pow money encourages learning through culture.
• Review and reflect after visits and celebrations. Encourage children to share what they learned, saw or experienced — this builds communications and thinking skills.
• Use travel or rest time wisely. Worksheets, reading books or simple mental exercises are perfect for car rides or quiet evenings.

Learning during festive seasons can be light, enjoyable and family-inclusive. The key is not the length of study time, but the habit of consistency. A few minutes each day keeps momentum strong, prevents learning gaps and strengthens your child’s confidence and discipline. With gentle encouragement and a balanced approach, children can enjoy their celebrations while continuing to shine academically and personally.

A little learning each day truly goes a long way — today, tomorrow and throughout every season of life.