“CHILDREN ARE NOT THE THINGS TO BE MOLDED, BUT PEOPLE TO BE UNFOLDED”

The pandemic has created a long-lasting impact on the people from all walks of life, and hardest of the hit are children. There is a huge change in their daily routine like not going to schools, unable to go to play in open areas, not meeting their friends, or going for excursions and trips. The pandemic has made their lives confided to their homes, and on screen of laptops or other gadgets.

As there are multiple changes in the life of the children, it became difficult for them to adjust to all these changes, leading to agitation, anxiousness, stress, and fear, which are overtly expressed via emotional and behavioral changes.

As parents and caregivers, it is important that to notice these changes in the children and help your child to come out of this turmoil.

Signs and symptoms of Emotional and Behavioural Changes

• - Excessive episodes of Crying Spells
• - Changing in Sleep Patterns
• - Change in Eating Patterns
• - Episodes of Nightmares
• - Regression (Thumb Sucking and Bedwetting)
• - Loss of interest in Pleasurable activities
• - Constant Low Mood
• - Worrisome Behavior
• - Constant Questioning about COVID-19
• - Lack of Concentration and Attention
• - Unexplained aches in the body
• - Prefer to stay aloof

If these signs are being manifested by your child for a long duration of time, and are frequently taking place, then as parents and caregivers shall take a note of them.

Tips for the Parents:

• - Be consistent in your instructions
• - In case of negative behaviours punishment (taking away rewards) should be provided on an immediate basis
• - To promote positive behaviour it is important to provide positive reinforcement right after the behaviour has happened
• - Spend time with your children. Don’t make them feel that you are not interested or you don’t have time
• - Take your children out to parks or other areas where you can engage in some recreational activity together
• - Take an active interest in your child’s activities but do not engage in helicopter parenting
• - Respect your child’s decisions and support them whenever and wherever required
• - Stop comparing your child’s abilities with those of others. This will only foster negative emotions in your child.
• - Stop physically hitting your child in the name of punishment.
• - Monitor your child’s mobile watching content and regulate the amount of time they’re in front of the screen.

Even after these handful techniques, the emotions and behaviour of the children are difficult to be managed, the parents shall seek professional help.

Children have emotions just like adults. This pandemic has created a huge impact on their lives. As caregivers it is important for us to understand each behaviour of the child, as it can be a symbol of cry.