With the coming lifting of the lockdown in many areas in our country, the opening of schools is still under debate. This is understandable what with the risk it poses to our children. As our children are confined to the home, there are things mothers and fathers can do to facilitate continued learning:
For children in the preschool age, give them an area in the house where they can play using their legs, hands, eyes and learn about their environment while having fun at the same time. Such activities may include movement exercises (e.g. doing the duck walk & arm raises to the tune of popular music), coloring and drawing activities and singing action songs all with the encouragement and participation of mom and dad!
For school age children, encouraging them to do tasks they enjoy such as drawing or writing as well as doing school related exercises will help occupy their time constructively. Time on the internet is best monitored and kept to 2-4 hours a day. Giving them assignments to help out with chores at home is also a great way to develop their sense of responsibility and problem solving skills as well as increase self-esteem and self-efficacy.
For adolescents, giving them a routine and structure will do them a lot of good. Such chores as participating in the preparation of meals, doing the laundry, planting vegetables and assisting mom/dad in a home based business are good opportunities to
a) develop their sense of responsibility and participation in the home,
b) increase sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem as they learn skills that make them more capable and proactive and
c) reduce the time they spend on social media (and prevent internet addiction!).
The lockdown also affords time for parents to spend time with their children (& vice versa!). Although work in the office may have slowed down, a lot can be accomplished at home!
