Brazil families urged to turn school holidays into learning and safety opportunities

During the July school break, several initiatives aim to help Brazilians make the most of the vacation period. McDonald’s MCampus platform and the University of São Paulo’s free winter courses offer more than 30 online, no‑prerequisite classes – ranging from digital marketing and Python programming to entrepreneurship – with certificates from Hamburger University and USP.

Health officials warn that unstructured time can raise the risk of accidents among children. In 2024, 456 Brazilian youths aged up to 19 died from domestic accidents, most often from breathing‑related incidents and drownings. Experts recommend child‑proofing homes, supervising water activities, and keeping hazardous objects out of reach.

Child‑development specialists note that boredom can be beneficial when managed properly, encouraging creativity, autonomy and executive‑function skills. Simple snack‑making projects, such as fruit skewers, mini‑pizzas and personalized sandwiches, are suggested to foster independence while keeping children engaged.

As the break draws to a close, parents are advised to begin a gradual routine adjustment and open dialogue to ease the transition back to school, helping children manage emotional and behavioral changes.