The Covid19 pandemic has become a norm and in order to adapt, school and universities across the country have switched to online learning. Teachers and students have been asked to stay on with their syllabus through an online framework at home. This transition from physical well-run classroom-based to online learning can be utterly stressful for students as it is a change from their normal structure and they are not accustomed to the new way of learning.
Owing to anxiety, parents as well as teachers might start noticing some behavioral changes in their children such as excessive arguments, refusals, opposition, defiance, or withdrawal, overeating and so on. At this phase the support and guidance of teachers and parents is very pivotal.
Here are some suggestions which can help you to support your children through these stressful times:
- Parents should stay kind and gentle understanding with children to adjust to this new learning schedule. At times, the children are going to need a break. As teachers/parents are close to their children, they can help by listening to their feelings and wishes.
- Routines and schedules are extremely important for children not only while at school but at home as well. Children will function best if they maintain their routine as in school. Around lunch time, encourage them to get up and move around in the house so that they are not sedentary for the entire day.
- Encourage your children to have open conversations with you. Give them a comfort zone that they feel good to share with you. Be patient, show compassion, and try to understand as s/he may have different reactions to stress. Try not to avoid their concerns.
- Don’t try to stick to school/college schedule of 6-7 hours. Rather, try to focus on shorter, quality engagement with your students/children and do make time for joyful activities.
- Video chats can be done instead of seeing someone in person, and are a great way to get in social time without risking oneself and others.
- While this crisis situation is not a vacation, it’s important to have fun with your children while they are at home. As, it is rare that you experience this much time with your family, so create it as an opportunity to bring strength and bond in relationships.
- Getting good amount of sleep, eating healthy nutritious foods and exercising are very important for good mental health. Try to make your child’s learning experiences to their strengths, interests, and skill level.
- Another very important key is to make everyone around you aware of the fact that you need a quiet location where you can concentrate and put your undivided attention toward your online learning requirements.
- In terms of online learning, make sure your workspace where you actually work on your online classes is free from clutter. Organize any textbooks, notebooks, and other items you might be printing out for your courses.
- Exercise can also do wonders for maintaining good mental health. Regularly exercising brings you active blood flow, enhances learning, good mood, sharp thinking etc.
The author of this article is Dr. Aditya Pareek.
She is currently working as Assistant Professor and Clinical Psychologist at Sanskriti University, Mathura (U.P.) and has published more than ten research papers. She was also invited as one of the key speakers by Edumate on the topic “How to deal with academic pressure in COVID-19”.
