Parents In: Coping with the challenges During Covid-19 Pandemic

Naiji B. Narciso

No schools are exempted in opening their campus for actual physical instruction for Education. All schools across the country are forced to close to stop the blowout of the virus. Hence, thousands of Filipino children and learners are mandated to stay safe at home. Amidst this pandemic, parents should be considerate with their children. They should deliberate their children’s need for social contact, leisure time, exercise and most importantly in education. It may be challenging and stressful, but it has to go on. This article talks about some things for parents to support and help make the most of their children’s time off from school, while instilling in mind child progress and reactions to stressful and changing situations.

It is very important that parents plan for each day. Children perform best if there are activities and schedule to follow. First, parents may set religious bedtimes and wakeups. It is good to have a regular wake up time and bedtime that is similar to the schedule they follow when attending to actual school.

Parents should also establish a school day education schedule. Parents can start with a morning gathering and schedule list, since this is what most teachers do to start the day. Create a to-do list of the subjects and activities for the day. For elementary school learners, a sample morning could include science, followed by a walking break or playing catch for about 10 minutes. Then, take a break for lunch and have your child help make it. They can also learn from the house chores.

For parents who have access to internet, their children also may take education online. Many schools offer lessons online by providing instruction and assignment virtually.

Parents should not forget to exercise and to have social contact. Children should be kept active each day. This may result to having a better sleep. Further, parents may involve their children in taking walks and playing games with other kids, such as tumbang preso, tagu-taguan, etc. at the same time to follow guidelines on the safe size of group contacts that people can have.

Parents shall give children an opportunity also for leisure. Kids shall have a varied leisure time diet of television, books, and other media.

These are just few suggested activities to assure the holistic development of your children. There still many ways. You can even create your own as you know your children better.

The author is Teacher

--oOo-

II at San Nicolas Elementary School