The kids are undergoing plenty of stress of their own because of all of a sudden and prolonged lockdown. The more you can support your child deal with any issues or tension, the smoother online education is possibly going to be for them. During the present pandemic of COVID-19 children are facing plenty of health issues because of the extended use of mobiles, tabs, and laptops for their online classes. Some children have formed anxiety with their learning.
It has been the case with specifically the pre-school kids who are shy or introverted, seeing their face on screen or answering while on camera can be intimidating. Counselor Shivani says screen time may have both positive and negative impacts on kids, Parents will need to understand that these online morning classes will not be forever and then slowly help the child to decrease or prevent extra stress. Without a doubt, these are some tough times for parents, teachers, and children alike.
This blog by India’s top Psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo talks about how teachers and parents can help kids with their stress on online classes.
Here are some valuable pointers to look for.
Create a Regular Routine for Them, Ask for their Suggestions
Check-in with your kids and ask regarding their plans and assist them to form a written schedule. It does not have to be a strict hardcore schedule, but please make sure you establish a proper time to eat, work, and relax. Consider restricting your kid’s screen time until their schoolwork is done satisfactorily so that it can get their undivided attention. Also bear in mind to create space for learning in the house where your children will do their best work in a quiet, comfortable, and dedicated area devoted to learning.
Digital Break
A kid may require a quick break post staying on a task for 5 to 25 minutes. Make sure that your children take proper breaks in order to have some physical activity and time away from screens. encourage them to get up, have some fresh air, do some stretching or neck exercise. Exercise is one of the finest ways to lower stress and prevent anxiety.
A Combination of Online and Offline studies
Overexposure to the screen can have severe impacts on young minds, so it’s important in these special circumstances to be extra careful when it comes to your little ones. As much as possible, parents must encourage book reading. Remote education could be challenging for all ages, but specifically, young kids, stimulate self-expression by having some discussions with your children about what they are doing, and also, motivate them for creative writing and imaginative storytelling.
Spending Quality Time with Your Kid
Playing with them and listening to them, ask frequently about their friend, letting them get connected with their friends through phone once in a while, or arranging for some safe interaction with friends through a video call. Kids need to know they are supported so make time for one-on-one conversations to stay connected through this changing time. Also, provide a bit of reprieve for them by taking them out for playing some games, or go cycling and plan a bit of off-screen activity for the whole family. It is rare for kids and parents to have this sort of time together, so turn this into an opportunity for bonding. Read a book together or watch some good movies. Make sure you keep aside time for fun and enjoy each other’s company.
Listen and Interact
When you see your kid being stressed, try being an active listener. And if your child doesn’t want to talk after you reach out, that’s fine simply fine, give them space. By reaching out to them, you have shown them you are there for them whenever they are ready. When your kid comes to you with concerns, begin with just listening. Post listening to your child’s concerns, see if there is something, you can do today to help them feel better. You can’t make the pandemic go away, but if there is something even if it is small, you can change or do to make them feel good right now, that could give them some relief.
Provide Positive Feedback Instead of Negative One’s First
Several children miss receiving reinforcement and reassurance from parents, teachers, and counselors. Building a reward system could help maintain motivation. Once kids complete a task or finish a class, consider praising them occasionally. This way they will feel motivated. Always look to provide positive feedback more compared to the negative ones. This way your kid will feel more comfortable while opening up.
Be Flexible
You may have to adjust your schedule as you go. Encourage your kid to keep working on the stuff that comes more easily when you are not instantly available. It is helpful to share with the teacher what works best for you and your child.
Your Counselor Is Now Just Skype/Video Call Away
During the current challenging time, it’s common to experience anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and relationship challenges at home. While you are under lockdown and maintaining social distancing norms to help the country to control COVID-10 spread, your very own counsellor Shivani is now just a call and Skype video call away from you.
However, in this age of coronavirus, we hope to offer our therapeutic help. Change is difficult for all of us and changing the way you meet with your therapist is no exception. But try it before you disregard this option. This is a challenging moment in time, and fears and anxieties are running high.
You may find, telepsychology isn’t a second-rate option. Instead, it’s an effective and efficient upgrade to a valuable service!
Feel free to call Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo at +91-8860875040 for telephonic or video support and to book an online counselling session to address any relationship issues, emotional and psychological challenges.
Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counsellor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute. She is trained on specialised key relationship counselling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counsellors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practice independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.
