“Children are not the face of this pandemic. But they risk being among its biggest victims. While they have thankfully been largely spared from the direct health effects of COVID-19 - at least to date – the crisis is having a profound effect on their wellbeing. All children, of all ages, and in all countries, are being affected, in particular by the socio-economic impacts and, in some cases, by mitigation measures that may inadvertently do more harm than good. This is a universal crisis and, for some children, the impact will be lifelong.” UNITED NATIONS POLICY BRIEF: THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CHILDREN
Second wave of Covid-19 left parents no choice but to confine our their kids within at home. Everyday life is same for kids, kids are getting into unhealthy lifestyle, where we as a parents feel helpless and have no choice.
Most of the parents are worried for their kids learning and their mental development. It has been more than 15 months when schools, playschools are closed, and kids are losing out important years of learning. Early learning years are very crucial for kids and some of the kids never got a chance to visit or interact with their friends and teachers for past 15 months.
Parents have found that online learning is a viable solution but again when it comes to young kids as old as 4 years, it is exceedingly difficult to make these kids sit in front of TV or laptop. Kids at this age have short attention span and by spending time in front of Laptop screen for online classes we are exposing them to more screen time.
Soon the schools will start and we as parents will have no option other than using online classes as a medium to provide basic learning to our kids who are as young as 3 years old. Problem is that schools and teachers are not making optimal use of technology. Teachers have not broken out of the traditional mindset of teaching, and it is not interactive at all, most of the learning is happening because parents are putting more and more efforts to ensure their kids do not end up with zero learning year.
1. Physical exercise: Ensure your child start their day with basic exercise like jumping, stretching for at least 15-20 min.
2. Socialise: Let your child socialise with their friends and family via digital medium, it will enhance social skills of your child.
3. Physical Activities: It is important to engage kids with some physical activities as at this age kids observe and learn at a fast pace. Check Skill Development Kit for your child Here
4. Creative Space at home: Setup or engage your child with some creative activities/ do it yourself activities, you as a parent can get lots of activities on social media platforms.Follow Xplorabox Instagram Facebook page for amazing activities
5. Technology: You can use technology wisely to make sure that your child is not getting exposed to it for long duration, you must avoid video games and watching videos on mobile.Check out Xplorabox Android App for Interactive worksheets
6. Worksheets: You can find lot of worksheets online which you can download and print.
7. Art and Craft activities: You can engage your child with basis paint and colour activities. You can find lot of colouring worksheets which you can print and engage your kids for hours.
8. Puzzles: Engage your kids with Puzzles and mazes. You can make mazes and engage your child physically
9. Story Time: It will boost their Imagination, listening skills, communication skills, improves social skills and help sharpen memory
10. Parent Child Bonding: You need to spend Quality time with your child to understand their mindset, kids our going through lot of stress as they see adult being in stress. Avoid negativity around you as it will have direct impact on your child.
No one will give you magic wand, which will solve all your problems, when it comes to engaging kids at home. You can get tools like physical activities, physical kits, various Mobile Applications and Worksheets. It is up to you how you use these tools; these tools will solve most of your problem but again it is not about you, it is about your child who needs your time and attention during these difficult times. Give your child best learning solutions available so that you can avoid zero learning for your child.