By Dr Prerna Kohli, Clinical Psychologist

The Coronavirus Pandemic has caused unprecedented upheaval in each an everyone's life. Juggling careers, securing income and revenue, and facing potentially life-altering circumstances is every individual's primary focus. 

Being a parent in these trying times is doubling challenging. One is plagued by their own insecurities of life and death, yet has to maintain a positive attitude for the sake of one's children. The challenge is how much information is sufficient for a particular age group. Below are some guidelines on what needs to be shared with each age group.

So how do we manage our children of different age groups during this pandemic? Parenting during the lockdown is an important aspect and will affect both children and parents physically and emotionally.

Let’s categorize the children as per their developmental level.

Toddler (2-4 years): They are in the age where they do not understand what is happening around. Giving information as per their age is sufficient. Give love, care, and hug them as much as possible an be there for them whenever required.

Pre-school (4-6 years): In this age bracket the kids can understand emotions. They very well understand the parent’s emotions and language too. So beware whatever is spoken in front of them.

• Make handwashing a playful game. Teach them why maintaining hygiene is important an how it would benefit them.
• Turn off or mute Television/computer/speakers showing any scary images or news. Also, avoid talking about the pandemic in front of siblings, so that they don’t ask unnecessary questions later. 

School-aged (6-12 years): Children from standard first to sixth are more aware of what the pandemic is about. Handling kids of this age group is much more difficult. At times they may become cranky, irritated, adamant. Parents need to take it easy and make them understand in the way they would understand.

• Give them basic information about what is COVID-19 all about and why it is necessary to sit at home. Parents need to explain to kids how sitting at home be benefitting them and everyone else. Teach them how to take care of themselves and how can we prevent ourselves from getting it.
• Explain the symptoms and ask them to keep a check if they have any such symptoms.
• School going children have a daily routine that might get hampered during the pandemic. Ask them to set up an alarm as they do normally, wake up at the same time, attend online lectures and tuitions, have food on a timely basis. If there is no schedule then please set up by discussing with your child.
• Engage children with moderate exercise.
• Let them know that it is everyone’s social responsibility to not go outside the home, thus contributing to society by not spreading disease.
• Some children may get frustrated as they are not able to visit their friends, visit a park or go to a mall. Engage them with indoor games like puzzles, ludo, snakes and ladders, or any available game.
• Activities like drawing, painting, cooking, watching an age-appropriate TV show together can be done.

Teenager (12-18 years): In this age group, children have enough knowledge of what the disease is all about; its origin, who can be affected, how it spreads, and what are the risks. They may fear that their near and dear ones might be affected by it. They may have anxiety about what if I may get it or my family member gets affected by the Coronavirus?

• If you sense that your child is fearful about the whole situation, clarify all the doubts they have. Let them know how fear lowers immunity and how our strong immunity is very important to fight the virus.
• In case if there is a patient in your house or area, let them know what precautions they need to take and formalities will have to be done.
• For teenagers too a routine is required. Make a time-table right from morning to night and follow the same diligently.
• Engage them for moderate exercise. Teach them breathing exercises and meditation. Teach them affirmations like “I have the immunity to fight any bacteria/virus”.
• Make them aware of how optimum utilization of resources needs to be done and why wastage of food should be avoided.
• Engage them in helping with household activities like keeping dried clothes in the cupboard, serving food for everyone, helping in the kitchen, doing dishes once in a while.
• Last but not the least, let them know what gratitude is all about and practice the same. Be thankful for whatever you have, for people in their life, the good health they have, the education they have.

It is the time we need to be emotionally and physically stable so that together we all can fight COVID-19. We hope these tips will be beneficial for you & your child.

Representative image; Photo credit: BabyCouture / Analytics India 

About Dr. Prerna Kohli

Dr. Prerna Kohli is a Clinical Psychologist, 4 times gold medalist, who practices Logotherapy. She is a Published Author and has received multiple honors, including the 100 Women Achievers Award by the Honorable President of India. Dr. Kohli, a holistic psychologist, in her capacity as past adviser to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and a member of NITI Aayog works towards making the workplace safer for women and the country for children. www.drprernakohli.in

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinion of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Indian Observer Post and Indian Observer Post does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.