Keeping children safe but happy during the Covid-19 pandemic

Children have a variety of needs that need to be met, whether they are at home or at school.

This is according to Vicky Downing, an educational psychologist who practices in Boksburg.

“As children will be home from school for a non-determined period of time during this pandemic, it is best to keep balance in their lives,” said Downing.

“It would also help them feel safer as routine sets boundaries and helps them see their world as predictable and safe, even in these uncertain times. The sequence of events is more important than the actual time that things happen or the amount of time spent on activities. So the child can still sleep a bit later than normal and still have rest.”

She said if your child is feeling well, make time for a balance of activities:

• Time for some physical activity (and here you may need to be creative if you are unable to go outside). Physical activity can include a walk around the block, playing active games in the home, such as making an obstacle course from furniture and blankets, hide-and-seek or making a game of a sequence of exercises, such as jumping jacks (star jumps), sit ups and then changing the sequence – let the child lead the exercises and do the exercises to their favourite music.

Simon Says can also be fun when combined with exercises. Children can also make up dances for adults in the home to learn. It is important that the activities are somewhat challenging but not too difficult – rather start off with something easy and build stamina from there.

Commercial games like Twister are also great fun. It is important to ensure the child does not injure himself or herself, so choose carefully.

• Time for something mentally stimulating. This can include educational activities and board games, such as Monopoly. These games are also social so they meet two sets of the children’s needs.

Individual games can include Soduku, word puzzles, cross words and so on. Puzzles and construction toys, such as Lego can be played individually or in small groups.

• Time for social and emotional connections. With younger children, this can include phone calls to friends or family; for older children it can include WhatsApp or Skype calls to friends.

Try to limit physical contact as much as possible. Social interaction should also include time with parents, even if parents are working from home. This interaction could occur over a cup of tea in the afternoon, during meal times and playing games or building puzzles together. Playing with family pets (where appropriate) also fulfils emotional and social needs.

• Time to learn life skills. This includes baking, preparing food for the family, learning how to wash laundry, working out a family budget and so on.

Always keep activities age-appropriate and safe. Hygiene should be reinforced, such as washing hands regularly (for 20 seconds each time), not touching our faces and limiting physical contact. Never allow a child to perform an activity which could be dangerous or which they are not physically able to do yet.

“If children are still feeling healthy, they should still be responsible for their usual chores during this time. Other family rules and discipline should still be enforced as normal.

“As tempting as it is to allow children to watch TV or play electronic games and devices the whole holiday, keep enforcing limits. There can be some time for age-appropriate games but keep this for times when, as a parent, you have other things you need to do or when you need relative quiet in the home, such as when having your own work-related Skype call or when you are preparing supper.

“Monitor your own and your children’s anxiety levels around Covid-19. Parents need to model calm management of the situation. This is especially important for children who have special needs, such as children on the Autism spectrum.

“If parents need help, they need to know where to find it and being in contact with support people, such as other family members and friends, is important during this time also.”

Downing said support groups on social media could be beneficial.

“By reading other comments, we realise that we are not alone in this situation and this in its self often brings some emotional relief. However, be careful of believing all opinions offered.

“It is always best to consult with a professional for sound advice. Some mental health-care workers, such as counsellors and psychologists, are offering counselling and support using online platforms and they could be useful to consult with at this time.”