Across the world, due to the spread of coronavirus disease, children are affected by physical distancing, quarantines and nationwide school closures. Some children and young people may be feeling more isolated, anxious, bored and uncertain. They may feel fear, and grief, over the impact of the virus on their families. School closures, working remote, physical distancing, it is a lot to navigate for anyone, but especially for parents. Introducing the children to create content that will entertain and provide a much-needed escape into the fun and magical worlds of imagination would be ideal. Elders at homes may also help the children to plan for their days, stay positive, create a daily routine, avoid bad behaviour, manage stress, and talk about Covid-19 at home (WHO, 2021).
Maintaining an exercise routine at home can seem more like a ‘should’ than a ‘want to do’. Even a small amount of activity can make a huge difference to how well you think and feel. In fact, exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for staying physically and mentally healthy—and you don’t need access to a gym or expensive health club to reap the rewards.
Getting used to routines: We are going through an uncertain and confined life. It’s difficult to accept the present situation for adults and children. Suddenly our daily routine has been changed. Those who appeared in exams had to suddenly stop in between. The same interruption is applicable for the children and parents who are eagerly waiting to join new classes. We are now clueless. In this situation lack of concentration along with anxiety, depression, worry, anger, irritability, tension, disappointment, disturbed sleep is natural. We are becoming impatient. We all are afraid of our future. But we urge you to live in “now”. Be positive and stay connected with each other. Managing children is a real challenge for parents. A planned activity is always better than an unplanned emergency. Hence, we can all plan to make a routine/activity list for children, which parents themselves may follow easily without thinking much, something that can be divided into several segments – Morning, Day, and Evening.
Morning activity should be light which can make our mind calm and fresh such as starting with deep breathing followed by light music, freehand exercise and jogging inside the house (balcony or terrace). Kids can also be involved in cleaning the bed, the rooms or in preparing breakfast for everyone at home. Day time, children could be involved in self engaging activities or maybe spent with parents and grandparents or help the parents. Other than that, they may be engaged in storybooks, practice handwriting, drawing and colouring, origami, puzzle, board game, playful time may be spent in case of having siblings, playful time may be spent with parents or grandparents, practice guitar, songs, etc.
Evening time could be for family bonding. They may be engaged in making evening snacks, watering plants, and parents and children may be involved in indoor games. Fix a time and allow children to have their free time and let them do whatever they want. Music, cartoons, memory games could be other engagements. Besides online classes, and doing their studies, once children get used to a routine, it becomes easy for them to cope up with free time and in using it constructively.
Planning: Our days are going to continue to look different for a while, so it’s important to establish a “new (temporary) normal.” In these unprecedented times, we need to remain flexible to best handle the situation. However, implementing some structure into our days can go a long way in helping us maintain our health, our productivity, and our social and emotional well-being. Having a ‘things to-do’ list has become imperative for not only the adults and working individuals but also for the children to ensure that they are not forgetting anything in this isolation. Planning for the day, week and month is a trait that is developed by a few. Not all plan for their days, something that our young ones need to be taught and trained to adhere to. The things to do could be from the time they wake up to eating breakfast on time, to study time, lunchtime and study time again. Film time or entertainment could go into the things to-do list. Unless your area is under a stay-at-home order or you need to remain in quarantine, try to exercise outside as much as possible. Take a walk, jog, or ride a bike outside, just remember to wear a mask and/or maintain a safe distance from others. The fresh air and sunshine will provide a further boost to your mental health.
Some of the parents in order to ensure that the routine of the children is not disturbed dress up the children regularly as though they would go to school, have recess and lunch break and change uniforms after the schools are over. They shared that the children are well organised and more focused on their classes and assignments in the evening. Students may have a lot on their plate but having realistic expectations can make the situation much easier to navigate. Also, while planning, factor in playtime and time for reading. Use everyday activities as learning opportunities for your children. And don’t forget to come up with these plans together where possible. Although establishing a routine and structure is critically important for children and young people, in these times you may notice your children need some level of flexibility.
Hobbies for kids: Hobbies benefit children in many ways. It gives a child an opportunity to express themselves, and it allows them to discover themselves and build self-esteem. They are also great educational tools. A child interested in rock collecting learns about geology and science, and a child in writing stories learns about sentence structure and proper grammar. Hobbies teach children to set and achieve goals, solve problems and make decisions. They can also set the course for what your child becomes later in life as they often turn into lifelong interests or careers.
Children who have hobbies are usually following in their parent’s footsteps, so set a good example by pursuing your own hobby. Your child will need space for their hobby, so find an area designated specifically for his hobby so he can work on it. Realise that hobbies can sometimes be quite messy, so be ready for messes as they come with the territory. Be available to your child to provide guidance, support and encouragement. This is a great time to teach your child strong work habits, such as following directions closely, setting goals, and proper planning and organisation. Show them that nothing worthwhile is ever easy, especially when they begin to become frustrated with their progress. It’s also a good time to teach them about personal responsibility and show them how important it is to properly care for their work area and their ‘tools of the trade’.
Children will be more encouraged to work on their hobbies if activities like watching television or playing video games are limited. It’s been noted by experts that by age 15, the average child has spent more time watching television than sitting in a classroom. Again, here’s where setting a good example is crucial. Instead of watching that four-hour football game on Saturday, turn the TV off and work on your own hobby. Your child may want to join in or work on their own as a result. Hobbies are rewarding and enriching parts of our lives, so encourage your child to explore his own interests and find a hobby of their very own (Source: Myers, 2013).
With all that’s changed, it is easy for kids (and adults) to get stuck on negative thoughts – like how they’re missing extended family, sports or friends. But by learning to infuse a bit of positivity into difficult situations, kids can boost their mood even when things are tough. Our brains work really quickly to help us think, but this means that sometimes we might not consider all the facts in a given scenario. When your child notices a tough emotion like worry, frustration, or disappointment, help them take a step back, think about all the available facts and evidence in the situations, and focus on the positive pieces. (The writer can be reached at maxwell.lyngdoh@gmail.com)
