The school break is more than just a pause between academic terms. It’s a unique window to reset, recharge, and realign before stepping into the next school year.

As a parent of two recent DP graduates and a seasoned educator myself, I’ve come to see these breaks not just as downtime, but as essential opportunities for reflection, rest, and growth. When approached with intention, this time away from school can lay the foundation for greater academic success, stronger emotional wellbeing, and deeper personal development in the months ahead.

So how can we help our teens make the most of this important time?

1. Prioritise deep rest (It’s more than just sleep)

Teenagers are famous for sleeping in—but rest isn’t just about catching some sleep. In fact, Dr. Saundra Dalton- Smith outlines seven distinct types of rest we all need. Here’s a snapshot of how these can apply to our IB students over the summer period:

• Physical rest: Sleep is essential (8–10 hours, minimum), but don’t overlook active rest too—think yoga, stretching, hanging out by the pool, or a slow walk in nature. These activities help relieve built-up stress in the body.

• Mental rest: DP students, in particular, carry a heavy cognitive load. Encourage them to unplug from academic thinking for at least 2–3 weeks, even if they have summer assignments. Let their brains fully reset before diving back in.
  
• Sensory rest: Screens dominate school and social life. Create an “electronics sunset” in your household—no devices 30 minutes before bed. Replace scrolling time with silence, reading, or just sitting and doing nothing. Yes, nothing! There has been some interesting research and commentary on the benefits of boredom.
• Creative rest: This means rediscovering awe. Go hiking, visit a gallery, read poetry, bake something new, gaze at the stars, or listen to live music. Creative rest is about recharging the imagination.
• Emotional rest: Teens need space to be honest about how they’re feeling. Create an environment where they can speak freely without fixing or judging. Sometimes, the best thing you can say is simply, “I hear you.” You can also ask them if they just want you to listen or if they want your advice.
• Social rest: Not all friends are energising. Encourage your teen to notice who makes them feel uplifted versus drained— and give them permission to take breaks from the latter.
• Spiritual rest: This looks different for everyone. For some, it’s meditation or prayer. For others, it’s volunteering, art, music, or spending time in nature. Help them tap into something larger than themselves.

2. Engage with the world around you

Summer is the perfect time to explore new perspectives, especially if you’re staying put. Whether you’re travelling or remaining in Singapore, try treating your own city like a tourist.

Go to a play, try an unfamiliar cuisine, visit a museum you’ve never set foot in, volunteer at a local organisation, or just wander into a new neighbourhood. Time Out Magazine is a great place to start if you need ideas. New experiences fuel curiosity, empathy, and cultural literacy—skills that directly support IB learners.

3. Rest first, then skill-build

While I strongly advocate for a solid break from academics, summer can also be a strategic time to build or refine skills— but only after a proper rest period.

Once your teen has recharged, encourage them to identify one skill they’d like to sharpen. It could be related to writing, public speaking, time management, or even mastering a tricky math concept. Subject teachers are often happy to suggest light, low-pressure ways to reinforce those areas over the summer.

The goal isn’t to “get ahead”—it’s to feel a bit more confident walking into the new school year.

4. Keep the language flowing

For those studying a second language—especially in the IB’s Language B courses—language learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. In our house, my sons went from zero Mandarin to impressing their examiners, thanks in part to their “fun” summer immersion: Mandarin TV shows, YouTube videos, and daily conversations with Grab drivers or restaurant staff.

Encourage your child to do what they already love—in their target language. Whether it’s watching a popular TV series, following YouTubers, or reading fan fiction, informal exposure builds vocabulary, confidence, and cultural fluency.

5. Joyful connection

As a person who has just lived through a school year with an empty nest, I know all too well the importance of quality time with your child over summer. Not only will this create a generative field for the next school year, you will cherish these memories when they go out into the world on their own. Academic work can wait and your child will be better off for taking a long deep rest together with you. 

In summary: Rest, explore, reboot

Summer doesn’t have to be over-engineered. It’s a time for your teenager to be human first, student second. With the right balance of rest, exploration, and a bit of reflection, they’ll return to school more engaged, grounded, and ready for what’s next.

And for us parents? Maybe the summer is a chance for our own deep rest, too.