Keeping Kids Stimulated During Covid Times
Written By: Bosky Singh, Moms on Maternity Columnist.
Raising kids has never been easy and keeping them stimulated and engaged is even tougher. It is hard to keep them busy with one thing for a long duration. The younger the kid, the shorter the attention span. This has become the herculean task for parents during these covid times. These are trying times and parents are in new waters… working from home, looking after the household, and most importantly taking care of their little ones without the previous support systems, it is enough to exhaust anyone. Parents are multitasking like never before.
A pediatrician friend of mine told me that the number of cases of parents complaining about their kids being stubborn, cranky, having emotional outbursts, and other behavioral changes has increased.
Ok, let’s try to understand the kid’s psyche. What’s going on in those fragile minds of theirs? They are anxious, everything familiar to them has been taken away from them..their school, friends, play dates and at the age when we should be teaching them about socializing we are teaching them about social-distancing. And to add to it all there’s a Covid monster out there. It's hard enough on us but we need to think about what our little ones are going through. I know it's really hard on us to keep a cool head and it’s going to take some effort on our part but our efforts on keeping them engaged will lend to a harmonious ambiance at home resulting in everyone being happy. Kid's minds need stimulation, they need something to keep them engaged and when they are busy doing something they are happy and a happy kid means a happy family. Yeah!
Below is my experience. I also talked to a few Mom friends to share their experiences around keeping their kids engaged during these difficult Covid times.
1 – Routine:
Kids are used to a routine and it’s the most important thing to form a routine even if they are at home. It gives them a sense of familiarity and security and something to look forward to. So have a routine and try to stick to it without being a stickler, whatever works for you all.
2 - Music:
I found this a great way to start a day. I play some nice music in the morning and then wake my little guy up. He gets up all happy and chirpy and dances a bit and then starts his day. Music has that positive vibe to it: it makes you happy, improves creativity, improves brain function and reduces your stress level. So what better way to start your day than music!
3 - Painting:
I did this with my little one and not the normal paper and coloring, instead I bought some non-toxic chalk paint and engaged my little one in painting an old terracotta lamp that I wanted to recycle. He was super excited to do it. The Result- a happy colorful kid and a new lamp. Seeing his enthusiasm, I got him to next paint a rattan basket and a couple of old wooden photo frames. And now he has started looking forward to what projects we are gonna do next. Painting too reduces stress levels and stimulates creativity much needed in these tough times.
4 - Yard Activities (gardening):
Plan some in-yard activities for the kids…
- Drawing pictures in the mud with a stick or building sandcastles.
- Playing with water and blowing water bubbles.
- Playing hopscotch or hide and seek.
- Designing a treasure hunt.
- Some DIY activites that interest you!
Among all the yard activities, what worked the most for me is gardening. I engaged my little guy in sowing seeds and watering the plants. And it appealed to him so much that he has taken up the task of watering the plants. Yes! a few saplings were martyred in the process but he loves it and now he talks to them,”Are you thirsty? Here you go, have some water…feeling better?” So cute.
Gardening again reduces stress levels, boosts mental health and some even found it to reduce anxiety. And plants and greenery just make you happy and, well, let's not forget about its aesthetic and cooking appeal.
Another friend of mine swore by the treasure hunt. ..In her words, ”Treasure hunts keep my little ones busy for a good two hours which gives me enough time to complete a report and get the dinner started.”
5 - Getting the little oned engaged in household chores:
This one is a little tricky but it works. You have to make the kids feel as if they are part of the team. KEYWORD is Responsibility. As Abigail Van Buren said, ”If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”
You have to make them feel responsible for certain tasks. It can be in setting and clearing the table, putting the dishes away, organizing their toys and cleaning their room. And more than anything else you are honing certain life skills in them which are going to stay with them forever.
I even engaged my guy into fireless cooking like whipping the batter, buttering the bread and shelling peas. On Father’s and Mother’s day, he was involved in the process of baking the cake and decorating the living area.
6 - Virtual Playdates and some limited digital activities:
Plan some play dates for kids virtually. Its super fun and you just don’t have to do anything for it. Kids get super excited to see their friends…they laugh, they giggle, they shout out of excitement. I actually got misty-eyed seeing my kid talking to his friends on his first digital playdate.
Download some fun educational activities for your little ones to do. It would keeps them busy for a good duration of time and they would learn something as well in the process.
7 - Movies:
Have family movie nights with them. Watch some old classics or the ones which you grew up watching and also watch movies of their choice. This way you are teaching them to take turns and learning to accept other’s choices as well. ( I can now narrate the Disney Cars movie verbatim even in my sleep and it is Avengers for one of my friends. )
8 – Story Time:
This one is a favorite at our place. And it's accompanied by a bowl of popcorn. We read storybooks. I narrate to him the stories my mom and grandparents told me. And we have one more type of storytelling session. I have a ton of photographs (hard copies) and we choose one and I tell him the incidents and stories related to it. He loves it .. he now knows many such stories and at times tell them himself. It's such a great way to spend time with your kids reliving your childhood and sharing your family history.
As mothers/fathers/caretakers, you get to decide what works for you. I know it’s a daunting task but you are doing a fantabulous job and we all are in this together. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel and like any other phase, this too shall pass. Take this as a blessing as we would never get to spend this much time with our families. So Parents smile.. you are doing a great job!
WRITTEN BY:
Bosky Singh is Mom to one boy aged 4. She is a regular columnist for Moms on Maternity.