Keep children engaged during lockdown: Experts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 16 2021: Though confining children to a limited environment is one of the best measures to ensure their safety during the Covid pandemic, a significant number of children are showing signs of behavioural changes due to prolonged closure of schools and apparent changes in their routine.

With this change in routine,emotional health and lack of physical activities have become a matter of concern for many parents for their children during the pandemic.

One such parent is Thongam Jepish, a father of a 6 year old child from Singjamei Makha Khongnang Pheidekpi, who said that his daughter is losing interest in studies and seems to be forgetting many of the lessons she already learned.

"As strict parenting is not suitable in this situation, there is no other option than to study with our children once in a while," he added.

This reporter also spoke with Jepish's daughter, Panthoi.

She said that spending time at school is more fun than staying at home.

Keep children engaged during lockdown: Experts

One Wangkheirakpam Lenin from Haobam Marak also said that his daughter, apart from expressing a desire to attend school frequently, seems to be losing interest in certain things.

Though online classes are of help to the children in their studies, the absence of extracurricular activity and physical learning among children for a prolonged period is worrisome, he explained.

Many parents, on the condition of anonymity, also expressed concern on seeing behavioural changes in their children, such as increased screen time, becoming inactive and losing interest in studies.

As confining children at home is difficult, many parents opt to hand over mobile phones to children to keep themselves entertained at home, they added.

On the other hand, Programme Director of Paediatric Centre of Excellence (PCoE), JNIMS, Dr Nandeibam Kameshore apprised that altogether 4244 children below the age of 15 have been infected with coronavirus since the onset of the Covid second wave till June 14, 2021 .

Dr Nandeibam Kameshore, who is also the Additional Medical Superintendent of JNIMS, also shared parenting tips to be followed during this stressful time for the wellbeing of the children.

The doctor advised the parents to converse with their children often, play with them, do physical activity together and give them a balanced diet to keep the emotional and physical health of children fit.

Urging the parents to avoid taking their children outside as much as possible, Dr Kameshore suggested the parents to make sure their children wear face masks, whenever going outside out of necessity at their capacity.

Many parents choose not to make their children wear a mask, fearing that the children won't speak up when breathing becomes difficult, the doctor said and added that according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, children above 5 years are okay to wear masks while Indian Academy of Paediatrics reduced the guidelines to 2 years.

Child Psychologist of JNIMS, Priyanka Konsam said identifying the changes in the behaviour of children is necessary on the part of the parents to address them.

It is also imperative for parents to accept that children are living in an environment that is completely different from their normal routine, she continued.

Saying that children and adolescents might be happy when schools are closed due to COVID-19, the Child Psychologist maintained that students, however, in the second wave are longing to attend classes as uncertainties fill their lives.

The parents should also frequently observe if there are any changes in the behaviour, psychology and emotion of the children as children are more prone to changes during the pandemic.

Saying that children with psychological, behavioural and family problem are more likely to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions put in place, she, however, added that she hasn't come across any research finding that indicates that Covid will affect the mental health of normal children and those with a psychological problem.

No expert has announced that COVID-19 and mental health of children are co-related, the Child Psychologist maintained.

On asking if these behavioural changes in children might have a long-term effect on their character, she responded that the best measure for the time being as parents is to observe the changes in their child's behaviour and to address them.

If a child shows signs of behavioural, psychological and emotional changes, it is best to consult health experts or Child Psychologists as early as possible, she explained.

The Child Psychologist also suggested making the children indulge in extracurricular activities which can be done at home, such as planting trees, gardening etc.

This would be of much use, apart from joining online classes.

It is also important for the parents to establish a routine for their children to follow to keep them active, she added.