Are summer holidays really bad for learning?

No, recent research shows a “stagnation”, not a loss of knowledge. During the summer, learning progresses little or not at all, but this varies from student to student. Math skills are more prone to slowing down than language skills. According to SUPSI, after 2-3 weeks of school students can return to previous levels. The pause is essential for brain rest and the consolidation of knowledge.

How long are summer holidays in Switzerland?

Most Swiss cantons grant about six weeks of summer break, almost half of the fourteen weeks granted in Italy. The reopening dates vary by canton: some cantons reopened on 11 August, Graubünden on 17, Moesano on 24, and Ticino on 31 August 2026.

How can I organize the summer so as not to lose school skills?

It is important to “keep the engine running at a minimum” by doing summer tasks regularly, distributing them throughout the summer period instead of focusing on the last few days. Spending 20-30 minutes a day on homework is an effective strategy. In parallel, it is essential to encourage recreational, sports and creative activities that stimulate personal interests and social development.

What role does the family context play on summer holidays?

The socio-familial context is decisive. A family that follows homework, provides encouragement, and encourages reading creates additional learning opportunities. Differences between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds tend to increase during the summer. For this reason, local associations and institutions that offer educational and recreational activities are particularly important to level the playing field.

Is summer just to get away from school?

No, summer is a fundamental opportunity for the global development of children. Through holidays, oratory, summer camps and recreational activities, young people learn to confront new people, develop personal passions (music, sport, nature) and acquire social skills. These experiences are transformative and will accompany young people throughout their lives.

Summer break and learning: how to take advantage of it (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 24 August 2026

View of Lake Lugano in summer, symbolizing youth rest and development during school break

Swiss schools reopen between 11 and 31 August. Summer break causes temporary stagnation, but it is critical for brain rest. How to organize children's summer effectively.

Context

In a nutshell

Swiss schools: reopening between 11 and 31 August, break of about 6 weeks
Research shows summer stagnation, not loss of knowledge: recovery in 2-3 weeks
Important break for brain rest and social development of children

Key facts

What: Reopening schools and the impact of the summer break on learning
When: 11-31 August 2026 depending on the canton
Where: Graubünden (17 August), Moesano (24 August), Ticino (31 August), other cantons (11 August)
Who: Swiss students, international research, SUPSI
Break duration: Approximately 6 weeks in the Swiss cantons versus 14 weeks in Italy

At the end of the summer, the Swiss students return to their desks. But the dates vary: in some cantons the schools reopened on August 11 under the heatwave, while in Ticino the return is scheduled for August 31. The Graubünden resumed on August 17, with the exception of Moesano where the classrooms will reopen on the 24th.

The summer break is not the same for everyone: most Swiss cantons grant about six weeks, almost half of the fourteen weeks enjoyed by students in Italy, among the longest periods in Europe. A gap that raises a natural question: does this long pause really slow down school progress?

International research conducted over the years offers nuanced answers. There is no generalized loss of knowledge, rather a phenomenon of "stagnation": during the summer, on average, learning

Operational details

How to manage summer so as not to lose the thread

Rest does not mean total inactivity. Antognazza suggests "keeping the engine running at a minimum", that is, continuing to train, at least in part, school skills. In practice, this means carrying out the assigned tasks regularly, distributing them throughout the summer period instead of concentrating them in the last days before reopening.

A planned summer is a summer that does not compromise going back to school. Spending 20-30 minutes a day on homework, preferably in the morning, keeps skills “warm” without needing intensive breaks at the last minute.

Development goes beyond the school bench

The summer break has an importance that far exceeds the maintenance of school skills. It is a unique opportunity for young people to acquire skills that hardly find room in the routine of traditional classes.

When children and young people find themselves immersed in new social contexts — through holidays, oratory, summer camps or other recreational activities — they have an important opportunity to learn to deal with new people and situations. In the same way, spending part of the summer working manually, playing an instrument, practicing physical activity or exploring nature can give rise to passions and interests destined to accompany young people throughout their lives.

These experiences are transformative and difficult to replicate during

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Key points

How to organize an effective summer for teenagers

The research provides practical guidance for parents and teachers who wish to maximize the benefits of the summer break. Distributing summer homework throughout the entire break is essential. Instead of concentrating assignments in the last days of July or the first days of August, it is better to spread them evenly over the two months. This way, the brain stays active without becoming exhausted, and the return in September will not be a shock.

An effective strategy is to dedicate 20-30 minutes a day to homework, preferably in the morning when concentration is highest. This way, skills remain 'warm' without the need for intensive last-minute reviews.

Complementary activities for balanced development

In addition to homework, it is important to encourage teenagers to participate in activities that develop personal interests. Options are numerous: sports or recreational activities that improve motor skills, music lessons or other forms of creative expression, enjoyable non-school reading projects to stimulate curiosity, and experiences in natural contexts with peers.

These activities are not summer 'fillers', but investments in the social and personal capital of teenagers. Diversifying summer experiences creates a balance between rest and stimulation.

Institutional support and budget planning

In Switzerland, many associations, municipalities, and schools organize summer camps, day centers, and recreational-educational programs. These structures are particularly important for families with fewer economic resources, offering opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are summer holidays really bad for learning?: No, recent research shows a “stagnation”, not a loss of knowledge. During the summer, learning progresses little or not at all, but this varies from student to student. Math skills are more prone to slowing down than language skills. According to SUPSI, after 2-3 weeks of school students can return to previous levels. The pause is essential for brain rest and the consolidation of knowledge.
How long are summer holidays in Switzerland?: Most Swiss cantons grant about six weeks of summer break, almost half of the fourteen weeks granted in Italy. The reopening dates vary by canton: some cantons reopened on 11 August, Graubünden on 17, Moesano on 24, and Ticino on 31 August 2026.
How can I organize the summer so as not to lose school skills?: It is important to “keep the engine running at a minimum” by doing summer tasks regularly, distributing them throughout the summer period instead of focusing on the last few days. Spending 20-30 minutes a day on homework is an effective strategy. In parallel, it is essential to encourage recreational, sports and creative activities that stimulate personal interests and social development.
What role does the family context play on summer holidays?: The socio-familial context is decisive. A family that follows homework, provides encouragement, and encourages reading creates additional learning opportunities. Differences between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds tend to increase during the summer. For this reason, local associations and institutions that offer educational and recreational activities are particularly important to level the playing field.
Is summer just to get away from school?: No, summer is a fundamental opportunity for the global development of children. Through holidays, oratory, summer camps and recreational activities, young people learn to confront new people, develop personal passions (music, sport, nature) and acquire social skills. These experiences are transformative and will accompany young people throughout their lives.