How to motivate your child to stay indoors during the Lockdown

As the pandemic threat lingers, much of the world’s population is compelled to remain indoors. And while this can be difficult for adults, it can be more so for their children. Summer holidays meant a break from school, uniforms, books, and tests; freedom from being cooped up in a classroom, tuitions, etc. The excitement of going on holiday, venturing outdoors to meet, play, revel in exploration or take up a fun hobby is nothing short of exhilarating for a child. But in the current scenario of uncertainty that the lockdown and virus has brought, having to remain indoors, during a time when frolicking and outdoor activities would otherwise reign, can be devastating for kids. 

It’s equally difficult for parents who have no choice but to find ways to entertain their kids in the safety of home without giving in to the temptation of planting them before a screen. Children need to find outlets for confinement frustration, without using a display and constant digital entertainment. Creatively engaging activities can prove to be a great learning experience as well as help distract them from the reality of these trying times. 

Here are a few things parents can consider to indulge their child’s creative side during this period:- 

Painting is one of the many pastimes that has several proven benefits. It’s an outlet for imagination and amongst the many options to showcase creativity. However, getting started can be a bit of a struggle if a child isn’t too fond of it. 

Parents can begin with something easy – painting a subject which is simple and doesn’t require much thinking or have much complexity. A flower vase or fruit is always a good start. This can gradually progress to more intricate objects, should the child show interest in the activity. Made Easy School Gurugram, pays particular attention to developing and encouraging a child’s artistic skills through talented teachers and state-of-the-art facilities. But in times like these, it’s up to the parents to help their kids foster or nurture (as the case may be) their affinity towards these activities. It will also help encourage the child if parents could participate with them, side by side. It’s a great way to bond and even gives adults something to do. 

Reading Books are the perfect getaway for kids to immerse themselves into, post their chores etc. Reading is a great way to relax and unwind and is a gateway into a world of fantasy, excitement, and thrills. Start off by dedicating about an hour for this activity and then gradually increase the pace. Helping them make this a hobby can have many lasting benefits, aside from enhancing their vocabulary and language skills. 

There are many practical benefits to reading – books help improve vocabulary and command over a language. The earlier the exposure to a wide range of words, the better the grasp over them. A study shows that young children whose parents read them up to five books a day, entered kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million words, compared to kids who were never read to. Studying an author’s perspective by asking questions about plots and story arcs can also help develop critical thinking faculties from an early age and lead to faster cognitive development. 

There are plenty of digital books available if one doesn’t have access to physical material during the lockdown. It’s also advisable to avoid putting pressure on children to sit in one place for the entire day and read, it will only make the activity difficult and inevitably boring. One way to encourage the activity is to try and create a “reading space” or “nook” where a child feels comfortable. 

Indoor Exercises A sedentary lifestyle is bad for both parents and children. It is critical to make time for a little physical exercise indoors or on a terrace/garden, should a home have either option. It helps ensure that a child is active and fresh throughout the day. 

Too much screen-time can have deteriorating effects from addiction to problems with eyesight and more. So it’s important to get moving. However, children will not follow, unless parents lead by example. Make sure to practice light, easy-to-perform exercises to avoid the risk of injuries. For those with private outdoor spaces, outdoor games with a ball, skipping rope, hula-hoop, etc. can be fun and great for health too. It’s important to keep in mind that kids should participate in play-time activities outdoors when they’re not in school. But these are special circumstances, so finding safe alternatives is vital. 

Learning Apps Since schools are closed and access to physical activities is limited, the digital realm can become a treasure-trove for expanding a child’s creativity and knowledge. When it comes to apps, to judge whether the content is engaging and apt for their child, parents have the option of testing it. Audio-visual cues and definitions help garner a child’s attention and further the grasp of the subject. Much like books with alphabets and or toys with shapes, apps have become digital playgrounds for learning. Some applications use a series of highly-engaging games to teach mathematics, geography, general knowledge and more. 

Books are a great source of information, however, they may not be sufficient enough to help children at home understand entire concepts without someone explaining it to them. Today’s mobile apps are designed to offer a more practical application on subjects through engaging methods that go from animations of how things work, to learning coding through interactive gameplay. But, like other activities, it’s important to have a designated time for e-learning. 

Allow Communication 

The silver lining on the lockdown’s dark cloud is the quality time parents get to spend with their children. It’s an opportunity to build great emotional rapport through open communication, sharing or creating mutual hobbies/passions, and creating a better home environment. 

However, social distancing can also leave children feeling frustrated and lonesome for company their own age or that which proves as comforting as parents like grandparents, favorite aunts and uncles, et al. For both adults and children, regular communication with friends and family is also an important activity to partake in. Set up a group or one-on-one video chat with school-mates or neighborhood friends, family members and anyone the child wishes to reach out to. Keep these connections active, as best as possible on a regular basis. 

These tips will help parents keep their children motivated and engaged during the lockdown. However, once things return to normal, parents need to enroll their children in a school that focuses on these aspects, among other things. MADE EASY School in Gurugram is one of the best options and checks all the right boxes for people living in sector 58 and 59 or nearby. It is amongst the top ten schools in Gurugram that boasts of modern amenities and a unique curriculum required for a student’s all-round development. For admission details, visit the website. 

For now, it’s far more important to focus on staying safe and helping kids at home make the best of the situation.