After months of imposed lockdown and restrictions, our lives have volte faced completely. None of us ever imagined something like this could ever happen, wherein a microorganism would change the entire narrative of human existence. The gatherings, meet-ups, parties, travels, etc which were so effortless and obvious became a matter of concern. Every other thing that was facile a few months ago, became perturbed. Never before the word ‘positive’ was beheld so negatively. Be it our social or private life both got ensnared tremendously.
Those who went to offices daily were made to work from home. Students going to colleges and schools are dragged to online classes. A huge number of daily wage laborers lost their livelihoods. Sitting at home in a complete lockdown that too for an uncertain period of time has made everyone perplexed. This has been a complete alteration in the pattern and paradigm of life.
There exists a psychosis of fear caused by the virus. Though it is a health crisis, its consequences have led to psychological, social, and economic crises. People have complained about the problems like anxiety and depression more during this period because a total cut off from the outer world has left a sense of aloofness and alienation. They complain of hypertension, low mood, sleep disorders so on and so forth.
Small children are intensely affected because they are too small to understand the severity of the virus and infections. They have been locked down in their homes, have not visited playgrounds, or met their friends for months, leaving a deep impact on their minds. Since they are small, they may not grasp things properly, but they are unable to concede and comprehend this pandemic thing. Every word has been dragged to the online platform, so has the children’s classes. But for a child of 4-5 years old, it is arduous to sit in front of a laptop for an hour or two. They get exhausted and bored. Though teachers put in their efforts to make the classes more absorbing and entertaining, kids are kids, you cannot expect them to sit ideally like an adult.
Moreover, small kids are attracted to schools, because they meet their friends, they get someone to play with. But apparently, this is not possible in online classes.
According to Selin Damla Ozcan, an expert on child and adolescent psychology, ‘adolescents may feel introverted and unhappy as they are somehow separated from their friends and spend more time with the family at home.’ She added ‘especially toddlers and preschool children may not feel safe because they are in a new and uncertain routine. Within this period, children can unconsciously show some regression in their behavior as a coping skill, returning to a developmental stage where they feel safer.’
Today we are in this, but tomorrow, God willing we would be out of this. And we need to make sure that this does not leave an everlasting impact on our children’s psychology and personality. They should come out of it like a warrior and not horror- struck. We need to talk to them, and explain the situation at their level of understanding. Their issues and inquiries need to be answered properly.
The situation is way tougher for them than for the grown-ups. They need our love and support more than ever before now. Right now what they are missing the most is their friends, their confidants, so be one. Play with them, chit-chat with them, listen to their version of stories and what they actually think about all these. If possible, manage a virtual get-together with their friends. Let them accept the situation accordingly and don’t let any anxiety, fear, and suspicion get in their way of development. Let not our little angels lose their lights.