As students in the UAE settle into a month-long winter break, school leaders are encouraging families to keep young minds engaged. The goal isn’t to overload them academically but to prevent what’s known as “learning regression.”
This year, the holiday extends for four full weeks, from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026. December 5, 2025, marks the last school day for those in international curriculum schools.
Principals stress that rest is vital but caution that completely disconnecting from academics can leave students struggling to catch up when classes resume on January 5.
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Taking a break can hinder progress
Educators argue that this concern is not just theoretical but supported by patterns observed annually.
School leaders explained that while the break should help children “recharge,” research shows that extended academic inactivity can slow down progress.
Natalia Klykova, Principal of Woodlem British School, Ajman, stated, “The winter break should rejuvenate children, but research reveals that a complete academic disconnect can result in a 20–30% drop in learning momentum. It’s crucial to find a balance between true relaxation and light mental activity.”
Klykova highlighted that the school’s strategy avoids burdening families with holiday homework. Instead, they offer optional activities that spark curiosity, keeping children engaged without making them feel like they’re still in school.
She added, “We don’t assign homework during holidays. We provide optional activities that are enjoyable, meaningful, and designed to spark curiosity. These might include reading for 15 minutes, helping in the kitchen with measurements, keeping a journal of observations, or finding patterns in nature.”
These low-pressure activities help keep children mentally active in a natural, stress-free way. When January arrives, easing students back into learning is equally important.
“We understand that when students return in January, it takes time to readjust. We facilitate this with gentle transitions, well-being check-ins, low-stakes assessments, and lessons that excite and boost confidence and happiness.”
Documented insights
At Gems Founders School, Dubai, Executive Principal and CEO Matthew Burfield noted that the global discussion on learning loss remains pertinent, citing documented evidence from international assessments.
“The OECD published a paper titled ‘Catching up on lost learning opportunities,’ which highlighted that long breaks often lead to noticeable declines in academic performance, especially in math and reading.”
Burfield emphasized that while resources are available online for families who wish to keep learning active, the school avoids imposing strict expectations during the break, respecting different family approaches to downtime.
He added, “Home learning through our platforms and the crucial activity of reading are always available. We encourage active participation in these activities but maintain flexibility, as family time varies and this flexibility is key for genuine bonding experiences.”
Maintaining academic continuity
Curriculum experts stress the importance of balancing children’s well-being with keeping foundational skills sharp.
Introducing her winter learning strategy, Shanthi Subramanian, Head of Curriculum and Assessments at The Oxford School Dubai, noted that disengagement during long breaks is closely linked to a loss of academic gains, particularly in math and literacy.
“We understand that winter break is critical for students to rest and recharge, supporting their emotional wellness. However, research clearly shows that extended disengagement leads to learning regression, with studies indicating learners could lose up to 20–30% of their term gains in core areas like math and literacy.”
Subramanian mentioned that their schools promote “low-pressure academic continuity” to reinforce what students have learned.
Her suggestions also apply at home—simple daily habits to keep cognitive skills active.
“We encourage routines like reading for enjoyment for just 10–15 minutes daily. Parents can incorporate real-life math by having children help with budgeting, measuring ingredients, or calculating travel time. Effective learning comes from conversations, engaging in creative activities, and playing educational board games.”
Despite the best continuity practices, she noted, students typically need a few days to regain their rhythm after a long break. Schools anticipate this and prepare for a supportive restart.
“After any significant holiday, an adjustment period is normal. We usually observe students needing three to five days to rebuild their focus and stamina. To ensure a smooth transition, we use a multi-layered support system: soft-start days, structured revision, low-stakes assessments, and well-being check-ins.”
