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There can be no doubt that children today are living through a highly unusual and challenging set of circumstances. The pandemic has meant that their home situations, education and social lives have all been affected or disrupted in some way.
One of the most challenging aspects of the pandemic is the sense of isolation which many children and teenagers have felt or are feeling as lockdowns and restrictions have meant that their usual routines aren’t being adhered to. Social activities have all but ceased for many children and the shared experience of the classroom has been disrupted.
Helping your child to stay connected during the pandemic is of great importance for their mental health and their learning outcomes. All children learn differently as this independent school in London says – some children thrive in a classroom setting so it’s important to keep them connected to their friends as much as possible.
Others might not find it such a challenge, but parents still need to ensure that they socialise regularly and doing this remotely can be a good idea. Here are some ideas to help you keep your child connected:
Video calls
This is a great way to connect with family members and friends alike. Make a special time each day for your child to chat to friends or family. You can use FaceTime or Zoom and they’re easy to manage so even younger children can organise a chat.
Virtual playdates
Set up a planned time with other parents and your children can enjoy shared activities and play together. Even pre-schoolers can benefit from this if you arrange for them to be playing with the same or similar toys. Keep an eye on security and ensure children are in a shared space when communicating online.
Older children might need some encouragement to join in with their peers but it’s important that they do. When the pandemic is over, the habit of online communication may remain and that’s fine as long as it is balanced with plenty of real-time communication and meetings.
