How can I better support my child?
December 31, 2019 – Any idea why this date holds so much significance in the current books of history?
Well, it’s the day that the first COVID case was reported.
Life hasn’t been the same ever since!
We can split up our lifestyle into two – the pre-COVID era and the post-COVID era, mainly because of the drastic changes that the pandemic has brought about in our day-to-day lives. The stress of managing these changes in lifestyle and work has been occupying everyone’s mind for most of this time. But, have you taken some time to think about how it has been affecting your children?
As adults, you might have many coping mechanisms and the mental maturity to handle these complex situations. But, what about your kids?
Let’s delve into that topic today!
Developmental Delays
Many children are affected by developmental delays. Studies have found that 1 out of 4 children under the age of 5 are affected by these disorders. Many face difficulties in picking up the language and forming words. Speech delay, social awkwardness, and learning disabilities plague many young children. Some of it might be due to the increase in screen time for children during this pandemic.
Even though watching videos or images on a screen can entertain the children, it is mostly one-way communication and can’t serve as a substitute for human interaction. Increased screen time affects sleep and is detrimental to children’s development, and can also hamper the imagination and visual abilities of a child. They are one of the main reasons for children not being able to perform well academically and also being socially awkward.
Another reason for the developmental delay of your children might be Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is a term used to describe neurodevelopmental conditions. Children with ASD behave differently than other children.
Some symptoms for identification of ASD:
- Not responding to their name
- Not interacting with others and dislike being touched
- Lack of facial expressions
- Difficulty forming words or conversing
- Development of peculiar routines
- Motor skill and coordination issues
Even though it might not be curable, identifying it at the earlier stages can help you seek expert medical advice and improve your child’s responsiveness.
COVID Fatigue
For children, the restrictions and controls over their freedoms are upsetting. They might not fully comprehend the situation, and the prolonged period can make them complacent and tired about following the safety protocols and instructions. They might be stressed or even depressed about these and eventually become negligent of these safety measures.
As parents, it is worrying to see your children having to undergo such trials. So, what can you do to alleviate such troubles?
- Reduce screen time
For children under 18 months, no screen time is to be allowed. They might enjoy seeing the moving images on a screen and giggle, but their eyes and brains will be affected during the vital stage of their mental development. Try to reduce the screen time as much as possible for your children.
Screen time can be justified if it’s for the purpose of learning. Talking about online learning, the online tuition classes by 88tuition which are efficient, effective, anytime-anywhere accessible, coupled with plenty of assignments and easy progress tracking make it a student and parent-friendly learning option. Do check it out!
- Spend more time with them
Whether it is development issues, covid fatigue, or depression, the best thing you can do to help your children is to spend quality time with them. Engage with them regularly. Talk to your children more often and teach them to talk, identify objects and read. Be honest with your children. Do not comfort them with lies. Instead, try to make them understand the severity of the situation.
- Meditation and exercise
Children are endless reservoirs of energy. So, it is frustrating for them to spend time being still in one place. Divert their energy to other spheres of life. Try to encourage them to do daily exercises or cycling within the premises. Also, help them practice meditation.
- Monitor your children
Children usually start responding to their names and start forming small words by the time they reach 12 months. If your child doesn’t seem to do these even after that time, observe them carefully and get a check-up if you think the issue is severe. It is vital to identify these early and take suitable measures.
- Read to them and make them read
Reading to your children can be stimulating to them and help in their mental development. Also, it is a productive way to keep your children occupied without being exposed to more screen time. The world of books is infinite and exciting. Introduce your children to it!
- Seek professional help
If your children have any developmental issues, consult a doctor. They can advise you on what steps you can take and also give treatment if necessary. If you think your children are stressed or depressed and can’t seem to help them, seek professional help. There is no shame in admitting if you can’t help them on your own. It is better to accept the situation and seek help if you need it.
- Take time to talk to family and friends
You can always call them or video chat with them. It can create a sense of connectedness even when we are all far away. It is different from children watching videos on devices. A video or phone call is two-way communication, unlike the fancy videos they see on their screens. These can help stimulate their brains and aid their development in this situation where visiting homes might not be possible. Human interaction is the best way for them to learn the language and master social skills.
We hope you find these insights helpful. Stay positive through these trying times. We wish you all the best! 🙂
Exam Smart Tips
Exam Smart Tip #1 – How to Encourage Our Kids to Speak Better?
Exam Smart Tip #2 – How to avoid carelessness?
Exam Smart Tip #3 – Establishing Routines!
Exam Smart Tip #4 – Let’s Read Carefully!
Exam Smart Tip #5 – Beating the Exam Fever!
Exam Smart Tip #6 – How to Eat Right for the Exams?
Exam Smart Tip #7 – How to Avoid a Meltdown?
Exam Smart Tip #8 – Taking Stress out of Tests
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