By OGUNNIKA ABOSEDE
HERE are 10 reasons why learners forget some of the things taught before the holiday. This often leaves teachers feeling like they are starting all over again.
1. Lack of practice: Learning is like exercise. If you stop using the muscle, it gets weak. Many learners don’t touch their books once they get home.
2. Holiday excitement: Children see holidays as a time for fun, not for study. Between games, TV and visiting relatives, schoolwork takes the back seat.
3. Lack of reading culture: Some homes don’t encourage daily reading or writing practice, so the child’s brain goes on “vacation mode.”
4. Overdependence on teachers: Learners rely too much on classroom routines. Once those routines are gone, they forget what they learned.
5. Too much screen time: Cartoons, phones and games can replace books. Children may remember song lyrics from TV but forget their multiplication table.
6. Long break periods: The longer the holiday, the harder it is to retain information. To a six-year-old, a two-month break feels like a year.
7. No revision of materials: Some learners travel without their books. By the time they return, the brain feels blank.
8. Lack of mastery: Some children only crammed what was taught. Once school ends, the information disappears.
9. Change of school or environment: During holidays, children experience new places, people and distractions. School learning fades into the background.
10. Natural forgetting memory: Children are still developing memory skills. Forgetting is part of the process, which is why repetition is important.
Forgetfulness after holidays is normal. But it is not permanent. With revision, practice and encouragement, learners quickly pick up again. Instead of frustration, teachers can use it as an opportunity to reinforce learning and help children build stronger memory habits.