(Describer) Title: All About the Holidays. Each letter in “holidays” has a different colorful pattern. Pages of a calendar turn to June.

(male narrator) It's summer vacation. For most kids in the United States that means no school. But it hasn't always been that way. In ancient Rome, boys went to school seven days a week.

(Describer) A boy sits at a desk.

And today, in some places, kids still study year-round. Where did our idea of a summer vacation come from?

(Describer) Ducks walk on a farm.

One theory is that kids were needed to work on family farms during warmer months. Another is, in some cities, it was too hot to attend school. Today scientists say kids need a break from school. Growing brains need unstructured time and play. It's actually healthy to have some time just for having fun. That doesn't just mean video games or TV. More like playing games with family and friends, floating down a lazy river, visiting a zoo or museum, reading, or just stargazing. Everyone has their own way to unplug and unwind. Some families travel, but you can have a happy summer vacation in your own neighborhood. But maybe three months is too long. Some teachers think shorter breaks spread throughout the year works better.

(Describer) Title:

What did you do on your summer vacation?

(Describer) Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.