To keep kids calm, it is important for parents to understand their psychological levels and channelise their energy in the right direction. Pankaj Kumar Singh shares some tips on how to handle this during the pandemic

While COVID-19 has taught us many new things, the biggest learning has been to be with family and your loved ones. Pandemic isolation has been hard on all of us, not because of something else, but just the fact that we are stuck at home. We are so used to meeting people and living world outside that being at home is hurting us. While the matured minds are struggling, think of the younger ones, who don’t even know much about the crisis the world is dealing with. Here, it’s important for the parents to be the protection shield and save the kids from all sorts of frustration and loneliness that might creep in due to pandemic.

 It has been found that kids worry about anxiety and fear due to a drastic cut down in their social interaction. This can have an adverse effect on their socio-cultural development. In order to handle this right and keep them calm, it is important for parents to understand their psychological levels first and then channelise their energies in the right direction.

In this initiative, the foremost step that needs to be taken is to bring back the kid’s life to a routine and discipline. Parents need to understand that due to lockdown and over-burdened digital classes, kids have lost discipline in life, which used to be an integral part of regular schooling. They need to prepare a routine for Monday-Friday and weekend should be devoted to relaxation and fun activities.

To begin with, the day should start with some workout or 10-min yoga session, followed by shower and breakfast and then regular digital classes should be carried till first half of the day with regular intervals in between. Make sure that they drink water in between and walk a bit to keep the digestive system at ease. Post-lunch a power nap is equally advisable keeping the humid weather in mind and evening hour should be dedicated to online surfing.

While excessive use of digital world is not good for mental health of kids but a balanced interaction is good. Parents need to take care of this and should make sure that this platform is not only used for studies but also to engage kids with their peer to fight with anxiety and help them connect with them and break the monotony. It is also suggested that parents can co-ordinate with other parents and plan some virtual games and fun activities for kids, where they all participate. This will not only bring them close, but will also make kids feel happier, especially during evening hours, when they love to be outdoor and spend time with friends.

Apart from this, the digital world can be used to develop new skills among kids too. There are various online platforms offering courses and learning opportunities that will sharpen the aptitude skills of kids. It is important for parents to take some time out, study about such opportunities and help kids utilise the opportunity to sharpen new skills.

Evening hours of weekdays can also be used for in-house extra-curricular activities like sketching, painting, writing, gardening, pottery and much more. These activities are refreshing and also keep them away from screen and phone.

You can also use this time and indulge with them in cooking activities or take them out for grocery and veggies shopping. Baking and cooking are considered as effective de-stressing mantras. You can excite kids with the same and spend time in kitchen and make them learn about spices and other ingredients. This might develop a sense of passion in them and they might develop cooking as a hobby. Don’t forget to teach them the precautionary measures to be taken care in kitchen and also instruct them not to enter the kitchen area alone.

Make sure that they are early to bed, so that they get good 8-10 hours of sleep and relax body and mind. To cheer them, you may allow them for 30 -45 minutes relaxation time by enjoying cartoon network or any animated film.

An interesting way to make them utilise time is to ask them to journal the daily routine in a notebook. This will improve their handwriting and also help you understand their interest in writing and creativity in weaving stories.

All these activities need to be planned from the space of mental stimulation, emotional, and social benefits. There need to be a balance of virtual events to online play dates with peers to texting to video calling along with social media engagements.  They also need to be informed that these are a part of the new normal and also it is primary for their mental well-being.

For children, family and friends is a cohesive unit that aids in their development mentally, socially, and emotionally. As a part of existence, it is the duty of parents to teach them the family values and traditions. Connecting with family, relatives, grandparents, and friends help children maintain connectedness and unity and this time can be used to strengthen the same via social media platforms. Also, parents can guide kids to make family tree and cherish the same. This will make them understand the pictorial representation of the same, how important it is to be connected with the roots of existence.

Apart from this, parents just need to listen to them, this will help you understand their feelings, thoughts, and behaviour better; this is significant as it results in invalidating their feelings. While this activity sounds lame to many, but this helps them easily exchange feelings. And we all know that how important it is to share feelings and express what you feel inside-out.

Also, it is important for parents to make kids understand the value of communication. They can do the same by keep that channel open and let them express the plethora of experiences by them. This will help in controlling the trauma effect of the pandemic and will keep kids happy and cheerful. Some other activities that can be added to the above-detailed ones are: Virtual kids party with school friends and family get-togethers, Quiz or competition with peer group, Virtual tour to a museum or historical monument, Art and craft workshop and story writing and craft show.

All these will help maintain the connectedness and keep them away from the negativity of being at home. Most importantly, this will help them understand the value of family and being with the closed ones.

(The writer is the Managing Director, Cambridge Montessori Preschool and Daycare Pvt ltd.)