Engaging Kids

We are going through unprecedented times. Hence it is but natural to feel “lost” at times on how to manage things. It becomes especially challenging if one has young ones at home. Every parent has or is grappling with issues of utilizing the kids time productively during the “lockdown period”

“Human brain develops until age 25, kids especially are like sponges, ready to soak in information and learn. Research shows that when parents actively engage in a child’s exploration of something new, they can enhance what a child learns.” Said Dr. Neha Chaudhary, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Loss of the usual routine and reduced social contact with others are frequently shown to cause boredom, frustration, and a sense of isolation from the rest of the world, which is distressing for kids.

To counter the lack of routine, parents can help kids make a schedule for themselves, which overcome stressful situations/feelings. The schedule doesn’t have to be all math and science – instead focus on more enjoyable and practical life lessons that children can’t get in school. There are some skills you can learn in this quarantine that doesn’t require a textbook or Google classroom. It can be naturally woven into your already existing day-to-day routine.

For example, during this time when Mom and Dad have extra loads of dishes and laundry piling up involve kids to say with the laundry. Not only they appreciate the chores which parents are doing but it also assists in their transforming into independent human beings. In addition to this, they learn the value of doing each and every work. Take the time to learn about healthy cooking. By engaging in tasks such as collecting the ingredients, kids learn personal responsibility. Kids can learn sewing a button which in turn builds self-confidence, knowledge, and independence. Teaching growing ones on how to deal with strangers – coaches, advisors, waiters, hairdressers, etc is another area that can be taken up by the parents. This way they can learn how to properly communicate with strangers. Last but not least “Time Management “ is a great thing to practice. It is hard to manage things with little or no prior practice. So, kids can design their daily schedule for this unusual time away from school. And learn new things daily.

Finally one should remember that not only Kids but parents also tend to feel lazy while making a timetable or following it, so avoid it and just make your mind practice that it’s only you who is stopping yourself from achieving your goal or following/creating your timetable by saying or giving yourself the reasons why you can’t do it. Avoid that. Start
Doing

Stay Safe – Happy Parenting – Learn Well