MANAGING THE MENTAL WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN DURING LOCKDOWN

In the wake of the rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdown period is also increasing and becoming further restrictive. There is no denying of its impact on mental health. As adults, we are more conscious of the given situation and are trying to manage and exude it in the best possible manner. However, in the case of children, the response to such situations is very different.

Like adults, children too are experiencing drastic changes in their daily schedules. Going out, indulging in outdoor activities, playing with friends is vital for a child’s psychosocial development. However, due to the lockdown, children are now confined at home for longer durations. Therefore, being stressful, cranky or irritable is extremely normal in these situations. Following are few ways to lift the spirits of children during the lockdown.

Lending a patient ear

When children feel stressed, they want someone to LISTEN to them. As parents, you should be patient and allow them to express themselves freely. Listen to their queries and answer them honestly. If they are curious about the Coronavirus and the lockdown, focus on the preventive measures and the positives of the lockdown. A good conversation is a great way to elevate stress among children.

Encourage Scribbling

Motivate your children to write and draw what they think and feel about the current situation. Let them sit by the well in your house or in the drawing-room of your apartment and allow them to put their feelings and emotions on the paper. While writing and drawing, children tend to understand themselves better as well as help the parent in understanding and supporting the children during a difficult time. 

Set Routine

Whether you live in a small village or a big city, setting a daily time-table for your children will help them stay focused. You can add plenty of breaks, meal-time, nap-time, TV time and internet time in the timetable. Parents can also prepare a time-table for themselves so that they can schedule their breaks with the children. In this way, parents can also spend quality time with children.

Seek professional help

If you feel that your child needs counselling, there is no harm in going for professional help. Many mental health experts are providing their services online. You can also call on CHILDLINE 1098 for psychosocial support from any part of India. With professional help, you can create a positive environment at home where children can be safe, healthy and develop their full potential.

CYBER SAFETY FOR CHILDREN: GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS

Children are spending a considerable amount of their time online, as schools are closed and no play-time with friends due to health-related concerns of COVID-19. This has become a major cause of concern for parents.

The internet is an ocean of information and entertainment. But every online activity or content is not safe for children. Many people share inappropriate content online that must not be viewed by children. Online predators can coerce gullible children into sharing their personal information or intimate photographs. Therefore, it becomes extremely crucial for every parent to monitor their child’s online activity. Here are some guidelines:

Limit your child’s screen time

It is a known fact that excessive screen time for children is highly detrimental to their overall well-being. Limiting the number of hours children can spend online, activities they can indulge online or what programs they can watch will enable you to keep an eye on your child.

Communication with children about online safety

An open conversation with children about inappropriate content and people online will make them responsible and vigilant. Explain to them, very clearly why they must not share their personal information with strangers online. Talking to your children will help you understand what type of content your child likes to see online. You can also suggest a few apps or websites that are safe for them.

Parental control software

Such softwares are not spying tools. However, they will help you set rules and limits for children and monitor their online activity. The parental control software like Google Family Link will enable you to monitor every device connected to your network and allow you to set device-specific schedules for your children.

Be a part of your child’s online activity

Co-play online games with your children. Sit with them when they are surfing random websites. This will be a great opportunity for you to closely monitor your child’s activities and spend quality time together.

Monitoring online activity has become very important, especially of children in rural areas as they are now educating themselves through online classes at community service centres. CHILDLINE 1098 has created a pool of resources and activities on their website that are safe for children. 

TURN THIS LOCK DOWN TIME INTO FAMILY BONDING TIME

Online conference calls, working lunches, presentations from the living room has become a daily norm for working parents during the lockdown. While parents are constantly juggling between office work and household work, children are struggling to keep themselves engaged in confinement at home. The complete lockdown has drastically changed their schedules, curbed their play-time with their friends and restricted their movements. Parents can create some memorable moments for their children by turning the lockdown time into family bonding time. Engaging with children in activities like,

Cooking together

Look through recipe books and websites with your children and take their opinion to select the right one. Give them age-appropriate tasks like measuring the ingredients, turning off the stove, etc. Keep tasting food together. Cooking together is a great way of bonding and developing a new skill.

Family game-time

Playing board games, cards, solving a puzzle together or setting up a treasure hunt is a perfect way to spend some quality time with children. It will keep your kids occupied for a few hours and help you unwind after a hard day’s work.

Storytelling session

Switching off from the digital world and telling a story or reading a book to your child is one of the best ways to keep your child engaged. It will help in inculcating the habit of reading in your children. You can make the storytelling session fun and entertaining by reading out loud, emoting words, enacting a few scenes from the book etc.

Nurture a hobby

Let your children explore their creative side with drawing, painting, singing together and dancing. You can also engage your child in making creative and useful items out of old newspapers or things that are no longer in use. This is the best way to bring out your child’s hidden talents.

Children tend to miss their friends the most during the lockdown. Therefore, allowing children to video call their friends once in a while will keep them happy and engaged. For more ideas to keep children occupied in lockdown visit, https://www.childlineindia.org/a/covid19. We have links to regional language content as well.

*As a parent, please monitor your child’s online presence and follow cyber safety rules for children.