Manage Children's Mental Health During the Lockdown

[As we all know the current lockdown of 21 days has been initiated to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to this,children have been unable to go outdoors to play or meet with their friends, making them anxious and stressed. All of us are going through an unprecedented crisis, the likes and scale of which this generation has not faced before. And the values we teach our children in times like these would beeverlasting. Listed below are a few parenting tips that can help you guide your children through this crisis and build an understanding to make them feel better:]( - [Stay calm, listen and make them feel safe]( It is very important to remember that children look to adults as role models for guidance on how to react to stressful events. Focus on helping your children feel safe, try to learn about what they have heard about the virus and what they understand from it. Explain the COVID-19 illness to them and tell them about the importance of staying indoors. Teach them about proper hygiene and social distancing. But be aware, that it’s necessary to be sensitive when we talk to them about it. They might not fully understand why their parents are not allowing them to go to school or meet with their friends. Tell them that these are the guidelines provided by doctors to everyone including their friends to keep them safe. - [Be honest and give them access to correct and age-appropriate information]( Parents should monitor television, internet and social media viewing both for themselves and their children as watching continual updates on COVID-19 may raise fear and anxiety. With lots of information and rumours, children might get confused. Help them understand that they are in control of the information they consume. They may come across news articles with scary details or misinformation while browsing. Speak to them regularly and give them simple and correct information so that they can understand. Let your children’s questions guide you. Be honest and accurate. Make sure that your topics of discussion are age-appropriate. For Early Elementary School Children: Keep things brief and simple and provide them with the reassurance that the adults are there to keep them safe and healthy. For Upper Elementary and Middle School Children: Tell them that they will be safe if they follow proper care and hygiene recommended by doctors and health experts. Tell them about the lockdown and other similar efforts that the nation, state and community leaders are taking to prevent the virus from spreading. For Upper, Middle and High School Students: Issues can be discussed in more depth. Provide truthful information about the current status of COVID-19. Encourage them by allowing them a say in important discussions about family plans, scheduling and helping with chores at home. - [Set up a routine]( Keep your children occupied. Doing chores is a tradition in many families. It helps children learn responsibilities and sharing chores gives you help around the house. There is no need to insist on perfection. Allow them to do minor activities like arranging the bed, doing laundry, clearing the table after dinner, activities that require little or no supervision. Create guidelines on how the day should be planned but allow your children to choose the activities. Have a set time for waking up, playing, homework and sleeping. - [Keep them in touch with their friends and loved ones]( Social distancing can be distressing for children as there’s no one of their age to talk to or play around with. Help them connect regularly with their friends, cousins and loved ones with the help of phone or video calls. Involve your children and their friends in some fun activities which they can do together by staying connected virtually. - Follow a Learn-from-Home Plan [Due to the outbreak, many organizations have used a work-from-home strategy, and there are lessons that can be applied from them. For instance, keep a regular schedule of your children’s studies and provide them with small assignments with respect to their subjects. Check their assignments to understand their progress and guide them through their mistakes and misunderstandings. Identify At-risk children and get them help Most children will manage well with the support of parents and other family members, even if showing signs of some anxiety or concerns, such as difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Some children, however, may have risk factors for more intense reactions, including severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal behaviors. Risk factors can include a pre-existing mental health problem, prior traumatic experiences or abuse, family instability, or the loss of a loved one. Parents and caregivers should contact a professional if children exhibit significant changes in behavior or any of the following symptoms for more than 2 weeks. Preschoolers—thumb sucking, bedwetting, clinging to parents, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, fear of the dark, and regression in behaviour. Elementary school children—irritability, aggressiveness, clinginess, nightmares, poor concentration, and withdrawal from activities and friends.Adolescents—sleeping and eating disturbances, agitation, increase in conflicts, and poor concentration. Apart from everything, make sure your child learns good hygiene habits. Ensure that they wash their hands regularly, cover their mouth with a bent elbow when they cough or sneeze. Ensure that they eat healthy food and get good sleep and rest.]( [#StayHome #StaySafe]( To stop receiving these emails,[Unsubscribe](