Studycation: Summer Adventures for Gen Alpha

Children of Generation Alpha, who were born between 2010 and 2024, can now participate in a "Studycation" summer—a blend of education and leisure designed to promote hands-on skills, playful learning, and a spirit of exploration.

Each academic year concludes, numerous urban Vietnamese youngsters often face a dilemma: either they get entangled in rigorous supplementary lessons or they spend excessive hours engaged with electronic gadgets.

Generation Alpha, the cohort that entered the world fully immersed in digital technologies, has had uninterrupted exposure to gadgets like smartphones, tablets, and the web from birth. Yet, this pervasive tech presence may ironically restrict genuine social engagement. As an illustration, these kids could be adept at virtual communication but struggle with actual dialogues. Despite their effortless access to copious data, they might miss out on hands-on experiences crucial for fostering critical reasoning abilities.

The academic burdens, reliance on technology, and reduced engagement with the external environment have caused Generation Alpha to grow more "linked but secluded." If not addressed, these young individuals might master digital tools while missing out on crucial life abilities, be intellectually capable yet socially detached, possess knowledge yet feel ill-prepared for real-world challenges.

Generation Alpha is the first cohort born entirely in the digital age but also is easily limited in connectivity. Photo courtesy of ILA

Millennial parents' concerns

The academic calendar in Vietnam spans roughly 35 weeks (consisting of about 175 school days), marked by rigorous coursework and elevated scholarly standards. Numerous pupils extend their learning beyond regular hours, dedicating up to 50-60 hours weekly—a figure exceeding benchmarks set in numerous industrialized nations.

For many of these kids, summertime frequently brings about ongoing academic stress instead of leisure, leading to mental exhaustion and less opportunity for well-rounded growth.

Moreover, digital interaction has substantially changed how children engage with their surroundings. A UNICEF study reveals that 82% of Vietnamese children between the ages of 12 and 13 use the internet every day, which increases to 93% among those aged 14 to 15. On average, Vietnamese kids dedicate about 5 to 7 hours per day to social media platforms, which could affect their physical well-being and heighten mental issues such as anxiety, depression, and diminished social abilities.

Generation Y parents often aim for their children to excel both academically and through practical life experiences, as well as develop softer skill sets. Photo courtesy of ILA

In response to these concerns, numerous millennial (Generation Y) parents are reassessing conventional methods.

They favor an educational approach that equally values academic success alongside hands-on experience and the cultivation of interpersonal abilities, instead of overemphasizing rigorous studies or increased screen exposure for kids.

Numerous parents mentioned that summertime is ideal for their children to unwind while still keeping up with academic pursuits. The photo is courtesy of ILA.

Studycation: An Innovative Educational Methodology

More families are opting for summer programs that merge educational instruction with practical experiences to foster their children’s comprehensive development in intellect, social skills, and emotions.

For example, a 12-year-old girl from Hanoi joined an international summer camp that merged fun activities with education. “My child experienced ‘truly incredible’ holidays,” remarked Nhung, who resides in Hoan Kiem District. “Not only did she acquire hands-on skills, but she also discovered her creative potential and grew more self-assured. She confidently showcased her project before many people. Her vibrant enthusiasm and joy were unmistakable.”

The idea behind "Studycation" combines learning with leisure, highlighting the practical use of knowledge in authentic environments. This provides Generation Alpha an enriching method to spend their summers filled with fun and exploration.

The ILA Summer Never Ends 2025 program provides an immersive experience for children to learn, discover, and develop a global perspective. Image credit: ILA

In contrast to numerous conventional summer camps that primarily emphasize entertainment or offer only a narrow range of recreational activities, the ILA Summer Never Ends 2025 initiative adopts an experiential learning model. This method offers a richer educational journey for children who participate in hands-on projects, cultivate a worldwide perspective, and hone essential abilities like communication and flexibility.

With more than three decades of expertise in education, ILA underscores that contemporary children require hands-on skills and real-world experiences alongside traditional academic learning. Their summertime initiative focuses on fundamental abilities, notably proficiency in English communication, which empowers kids to efficiently interact with their counterparts from around the world and tap into worldwide resources.

Participants also work on multicultural group assignments, enhancing their ability to collaborate effectively. Practical real-world tasks within the curriculum promote active learning, as well as problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. The inclusion of artistic, athletic, and performing arts activities aims to stimulate creativity and personal expression.

Although scholarly groundwork is crucial, ILA emphasizes that critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and proficient communication are key abilities for enduring achievement.

An ILA spokesperson emphasized, "For Generation Alpha to develop properly, they must not only engage with screens and textbooks but also have chances to explore, face failures, push their limits, and venture outside of their familiar environments."

The program offers early registration scholarships valued at up to VND14 million ($547.52).