The kids go back to zooming?

This will help them get through it

Distance learning seems to be making a comeback, at least for the foreseeable future.

If your children also experienced difficulties the last time it happened, you can prepare and help them, so that this time will be better

Liat Dotan

03/01/2022

Monday, 03 January 2022, 07:59

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It seems that we have only just returned to routine after two challenging years, and here again some of the children are back to learning through the zoom.

If in previous closures there were those who thought it was an ongoing vacation, today we see the consequences and prices of disconnection from the system.

For children who lack social skills, they feel less belonging, more lonely, have difficulty learning and coping with routine.

Some children experience great emotional distress, stress and a high level of anxiety, all of which may manifest in aggressive behavior or avoidance and closure.

So what can parents do to help children cope with the changing routine, the interruptions in the life sequence and the disconnections from the system?

Is it possible to prepare for this in a different and better way this time?

Definitely, and here are some tools to help you.

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To the full article

1. Strengthen the bond between you and the children

- In the face of the disconnects that the new reality produces, it is important to establish connections for the children, first of all with you at home.

Remind the children that you are there to help them if they feel distressed.

Ask them how they feel about the new situation.

Listen to them, allow expression to the whole spectrum of emotions without judgment.

Check with them what can help them cope and what they need from you.

What can be done this time to make it go through more easily?

Girl learning from a distance (Photo: ShutterStock)

2. Create family routines that encourage communication

- be sure to share meals, family outings like nature walks, shared games, time of fun.

Note that children do not stay alone in front of the screens for long periods of time - whether it's zooming, ticking or playing computer games.

Set a common time where everyone puts the screens aside, looking each other in the eyes, talking and connecting.

- As long as there are no closures, encourage the children to go out and do physical activities, to meet with friends in the open spaces while maintaining distance.

- If you feel that the child is not connected to what is happening in the learning, share with the teacher, consult with her and try to think together how you can help the child.

Send the child the message that the teacher is also a character that can be trusted and that he can help and share from a distance.

Try to find a time when everyone disconnects from the screens and looks each other in the eyes.

Mom works from home (Photo: ShutterStock)

5. Choose the goals

- where to insist and where to let go. In dealing with the difficulty, there is a tendency to move between a reaction in which we allow children everything they want to "be quiet", and to be very rigid and demand from them things that they have difficulty withstanding. It is important to find the balance between surrender and an overly rigid demand. For example, if the child does not want to connect to the zoom, empathize with the difficulty, try to understand what is difficult for him, help him understand why it is important and what can help him. In cases where it is particularly difficult for a child, such as children with ADHD or children with social anxiety who have difficulty seeing them on camera, try to find creative solutions in coordination with the teacher. Such as prolonged breaks throughout the day, providing an alternative educational assignment, using a zoom without a camera and the like. It is worth talking to the teacher and thinking together about what is suitable for the child and what the doses are adapted to his abilities.

- If you see the child changing in front of your eyes, shutting himself in, or showing signs of aggression and you feel that you are unable to reach him and understand what is happening, contact a professional for consultation.

You can consult with the school educator, counselor or psychologist, who will help you understand whether this is age-typical behavior or whether it is necessary to seek therapeutic treatment.

Do not be left alone with distress.

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7. Stop for self-observation

- this situation is very challenging for us parents, we work and are busy, the children are at home and we do not know exactly what is happening to them, sometimes we may react with criticism or anger. But it is important to remember that the situation causes stress and distress in many children and especially during this period they need us parents to support, guide and convey calmness and confidence to them. For us to be able to free up and give support to our children, it is important that we identify the places that give us energy. Just like in the flight safety instructions, where the adult in an emergency is asked to put the oxygen mask on first and only later on his child, understanding that when an adult has powers he can help the child. Try to find the places that give you oxygen - like sharing roles with spouses , Go out to do sports or freshen up.Remember that when you are charged with energies you pass on to children forces that will allow you to get through this period together in peace.

• health

• parenthood

Tags

• Zoom

• learning from distance

• parenthood

• Corona