Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), millions of children are obliged to
remain at home. During this time, it is helpful for parents to consider
their child’s needs for structure, education, exercise, social contact,
appropriate leisure time, and calm, rational explanations about the
situation.
A Need for Structure
Children may consider this time to be similar to long school breaks or
summer vacation, but it is not exactly the same. “Unlike summer
vacation, this break is sudden and unplanned, and the time away from
school has not been specified,” “This can be difficult for children to
understand. In general, people don’t do well when they are unsure
about the future, even in an area as simple as the schedule.”
Set Regular Bedtimes and Wake-Ups.
After perhaps the first few days, have your child or teen follow the
usual school day–weekend day sleep schedule. It is best to have a
regular wake-up time and bedtime that is the same as the schedule you
set when they are attending school, since it can be hard to get back on
track, especially if kids get into a late-to-bed, late-to-rise schedule.
Establish a School Day Educational Schedule.
Math and science can be also incorporated into cooking and
meal prep. Questions to pose to your child may include the
following:
What happens to vegetables when they are heated?
Why do we cook meat? Does cooking help reduce germs?
How much more is 360 degrees than 120 degrees?
At what temperature does water boil?
Exercise and Social Contact
“By keeping active each day, everyone will be calmer and will
sleep better,” “Get involved by taking walks and playing games
with your kids, such as tag, hide-and-seek, Red Rover, “Relay
races, bike rides, teach about nature, plants, animals, and birds.
As for sports, “You can get together a small group of healthy kids to
play some games,” he adds. “It doesn’t have to be fancy—kickball is
enjoyed. Getting friends together in small groups can provide fun and
ease tension, “Social contact is very important for children. Youth that
are connected to other children are happier, less anxious, and have
more fun.”
Even when isolated, parents can help kids stay connected to others
with modern technology, within reasonable limits, adds. Encourage
appropriate and reasonable use of phones, tablets, and computers for
making the connections. Parents should follow wise
“You do not need to know the details of each interaction, but you
should have a sense of the themes and the persons that your child is
contacting, even teens,” “While out of school, children may be seen as
potential targets for cyber predators, so encourage your children to be open.
Leisure Time Considerations.
Make certain that a good portion of leisure time activity is active, both
mentally and physically. “Passive observation and watching of content
is fine within limits, but don’t let your child’s mind go numb by
consuming content that does not require thought,” “Teachers and
school provide kids with more than six hours of mental exercise. Try
to match that.”
Passive and sedentary entertainment can also be a problem. It can lead
to a reduction in physical health and fitness and contribute to
unwanted weight gain. “Remember, at school, children and teen are at
least walking around the building,”.
Reducing Anxiety in the Face of Real-Life Concerns.
It’s best for parents to provide explanations about COVID-19 and help
maintain an appropriate calm, To help manage anxiety in children of
all ages, make certain to provide accurate information from reliable
sources.
Do your best to protect your child and family members from COVID-
19 and let your child know how they can protect themself and others.
Guides and rules for social distancing and hygiene and consulting with
healthcare professionals should be followed. “Even young children
can calmly understand illnesses. Let them know at an appropriate
developmental level how COVID-19 can be passed onto others, that
most people do not become very sick.
If you find yourself excessively worried, tense, or sad, consult with
health, mental health, and other sources of counseling, such as clergy.
Check for these reactions in your children too. “Stressful times
contribute to mental health problems, especially if they were present
before the stress started,” . “Make sure to take care of you and your
children’s mental health during this health concern.”
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