According to experts, isolation, lack of free play and physical exercise can cause more stress, sibling fights; and in the medium term, it could affect children's mood.
Anyone with children knows that this confinement to which the coronavirus is subjecting us, is being a challenge; a challenge for them and their parents.
Sharing 24/7 at home, with no possibility of going out, tests the patience of all. Besides, the ability to telework, educate and entertain At the same time, it is not an easy task. Undoubtedly, this situation can have a psychological impact both in children and the elderly and that is why today we want to give you tools to face it in the best way.
What symptoms can we notice in children?
All children will react to this situation that the coronavirus has brought us to: some before, others after; some to a greater extent and others to a lesser extent; dfrom the noblest to the most rebellious character.
Rebellion, lack of patience, frustration, bad answers ... Most children will demonstrate isolation symptoms with boredom, mood swings y more siblings and family fights...
The most sensitive children can experience sleep disturbances such as nightmares y night terrors. In some cases, they may be displayed worried about the virus.
The important is have tools so that we can help them deal with these down times in the best possible way, trying to make them the exception and not the norm.
What can we do to help our children?
- Establish a routine.
Keep the usual hours. Go to bed and get up at the same time, establish routines for homework and play times. Having an illustrated schedule can help, especially the little ones ... to understand how it will develop every day. - Use art as therapy.
Drawing helps channel feelings. If children are stressed or overwhelmed, worried or frustrated, art can be a good way to release that feeling. - Listen to music.
What if while they draw they listen to songs that lift their spirits and motivate them? Another idea is to use music and its benefits to cheer up the little ones at home, who still cannot draw but can sing or dance. He uses children's songs to transmit routines and confidence and, in addition, take advantage of the multiple educational songs that not only encourage him but also teach them things like: numbers, letters, colors, to pick up, another language, etc. - Avoid watching the news with your children.
In itself, children will listen to us daily talking about the coronavirus. Avoid overexposing children to that information that can cause stress. - Be more patient and develop as much empathy as possible.
It sounds simple but we know it is difficult. This situation can make children more nervous and intolerant than usual. Knowing how to control the situation, create communication strategies with them and educate in positivism, should be something that all parents manage to manage. - Have contact with friends and family.
Share your tasks for the day and talk about positive things that have been done in the family during the day. Take advantage of new technologies to make video calls or calls with grandparents, cousins, friends of school. In general, being connected with their loved ones will do them and those people who cannot see your little one but who enjoy listening to how their day was. Without a doubt, a “win-win” idea, don't you think? - Create special plans.
We all need excitement and positive encouragement to keep our spirits up. We can do fun activities like making a sponge cake for snacks, playing a board game, watching a movie as a family. Ask your child (ren) what game ideas they have, since involving them is also an important stimulus. Together they can create unique, fun and educational moments that will leave a positive imprint on them and help to alleviate the negative emotions that isolation could arouse. - Look the positive side.
We may come to view quarantine as a opportunity. A unique moment that they have given us to share a family time without precedents. To create Routines de study, teamwork in housework, also to start take care of ourselves through physical exercise at home, which also strengthens our immunity ... - Talk about your feelings.
Either every morning or night (each family can choose the best time), they could make a daily family assembly to exchange ideas, discuss the best / worst of the day, seek team solutions to any problem that may have arisen during that time. journey or simply remember moments lived. Talking to them, listening to them and having that space of understanding and conversation will provide them with security. - Eat well and play sports!
From Sanus we want to value the importance of a balanced diet and a daily exercise routine, as tools to raise defenses and stay physically and mentally strong. With the high and worrying data on childhood obesity in Canary Islands, it seems very important to us not to forget this.
Fighting coronavirus and also sedentary lifestyle!
All of us in this country, and especially children, have drastically reduced the time we spend daily walking, running or exercising. During this period of confinement we will significantly reduce our daily physical activity. This fact inevitably leads to developing Negative effects in the locomotor system, since increases sedentary lifestyle (a risk factor for overweight) and a loss of aerobic capabilities of people, which translates into feelings of fatigue or decay.
However, this circumstance can open a door to introduce physical activity in the daily routines of our children and adolescents. And is that being at home, using a little creativity and if possible, with the help of a technological support (apps, online classes, YouTube video tutorials, ...), we can introduce new sports habits to children. For example, during quarantine, we know from many children that have discovered Yoga in the living rooms of their houses or have learned that on their roof, there is a wonderful space to run, jump or invent some game of obstacles.
Igive: The benefits of the physical exercise not only on a physical level, but also psychological and emotional, they will be much more palpable in this situation. Create one exercise routine, also in family, can be one of the objectives day
