Kiddipedia
This article is brought to you by Medescan
There’s no denying that our lives have been turned upside down by COVID-19. The unfolding situation is difficult enough for an adult to comprehend, let alone for a child who is struggling to understand why a simple trip to the local playground or movie theatre is now off-limits. Adjusting to a modified way of life and ‘new normal’ is crucial as we navigate a lockdown with no defined end-date, and especially important if stricter protocols are enforced. Mourning the loss of civic freedoms we’ve come to rely upon is completely natural, but keep in mind that this pandemic can also give rise to new expectations, values and forms of gratitude for families to draw strength from.
Of course, the prospect of keeping children stimulated at home 24-7 whilst fending off restlessness and fear, is daunting for many parents. Aside from COVID-19’s health impact, many are afraid that their kids will suffer psychologically and emotionally from isolation, as parents themselves come to grips with their own feelings.
Our friends at Medescan have been helping Australians access quality, innovative health products for over a decade, including medical products of heightened value during COVID-19. Medescan’s industry-leading touchless thermometer is one such tool in the fight against coronavirus, and they’re here to share their tips for ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing of children during this crisis.
# Maintain social connectedness
Australians have been confronted with a variety of new concepts over the last month, from ‘flattening the curve’ to the #stayathome pledge – and of course – ‘social distancing’, which some have renamed ‘physical distancing’. The latter phrase reminds us that physical separation need not mean social and emotional dislocation from those we love. The technology we have at our disposal to maintain contact with friends and family, is a 21st century luxury not afforded to previous generations and pandemics. It gives us a massive advantage in overcoming COVID-19 together.
Kids will be sorely missing their schoolmates, grandparents, and others outside their immediate family, so it’s important to connect them in safe, meaningful ways. Regular phone calls and text messages are great, but video chats are unbeatable in allowing kids to share facial cues and body language. Iphone’s Facetime app, Skype, or other free video call programs such as Zoom, can all be used to provide your kids a realistic experience of hanging out with their friends and extended family. In addition to seeing familiar faces, consider tuning in to live streaming by institutions such as zoos, to give kids a reassuring glimpse of the outside world, which is still turning.
# Set goals and projects
Childcare experts agree that maintaining routines and structure as much as possible, is important for kids during this pandemic. However many parents would agree that weekdays and weekends feel like they’re blurring into one, as everyone struggles to balance productivity and motivation. Keeping kids’ remote learning on track and setting boundaries during school hours is crucial to avoid a descent into chaos, but goals should also extend to the weekend. At-home projects will help fill the void of recreational activities and outings that are now off-limits, and distract from feelings of doom and gloom.
COVID-19 has largely confined kids’ learning and communication to devices, so they’ll be more receptive to breaks from offline activities. Now is the perfect time to develop newfound appreciation for more hands-on activities that give the family a change of pace and scenery. Furthermore, consider if pre-coronavirus plans can be revised in order to boost morale. For example; the Easter long weekend camping trip is a much-loved tradition for many Aussie families. With travel now a no-go, could you shift the campsite to your backyard to make the best of a bad situation?
Other projects might involve enacting scenes from your favourite movies with makeshift costumes, painting on canvas, or perhaps building an epic LEGO city is more your style. You’ll need to find what works for your family’s personality and resources, but let your imagination run wild!
# Manage media consumption
Kids can quickly become overburdened with information and not always verbalise it, so it’s important to limit exposure to news before it becomes a problem. Research has shown that watching negative news reports elevates stress levels in children, and considering COVID-19 has become so all-encompassing, it’s in parents’ best interests to lead by example. Think about it – if you’re stuck in a 24-hour news cycle, and the older your kids are, the more they will sense your fear and anxiety and potentially take it on themselves. And even if your kids aren’t old enough to access social media, it’s easy for unverified information or comments they hear to distort their view of the world.
- Consult websites like Common Sense Media to gauge recommended screen and media limits for your child’s age group
- Limit your own and older kids’ exposure to news coverage to certain periods of the day – ie. half an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening
- Emphasise positive outcomes when they occur and handpick some ‘good news’ stories for kids to watch
- Make time for a regular/nightly debrief with your child(ren) to check how they are feeling about their place in the world
# Empower them in their health
By now, most parents understand that children present a low risk of becoming dangerously ill from COVID-19. Nonetheless, precautions to avoid contracting the illness in the first place and spreading it to more vulnerable people, are important – especially as Australia approaches flu season. Many parents associate the happiest children as those who run around carefree, but taking steps to empower kids in their health and hygiene practices will also help them psychologically during this crisis. It will give them a sense of control to reduce feelings of helplessness and confusion, and alleviate fears of getting sick. The added benefit is that a relaxed form of these hygiene habits are likely to stick with them in later life.
In building hygiene rituals, the trick is not to fear monger – stay upbeat and matter-of-fact, as opposed to making it an emotionally charged exercise. Normalising it is key, and younger children may even find it fun through the help of entertainers such as ‘The Wiggles’ who have released handwashing and social distancing songs. Get kids used to a manageable routine, which might look something like this:
- Teaching your kids to apply the required 1.5m physical distancing rule in a way they understand.
- Taking shoes off immediately when returning home and leaving them by the door
- Washing hands thoroughly (before eating, upon arriving home, after touching public surfaces, after coughing/sneezing, etc.)
- Regular temperature checks with Medescan’s 2 in 1 Touchless & Ear Thermometer®
- Teach them about setting a humidifier in their bedroom at night to enjoy healthy air quality. Medescan’s Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier® lights up with the colours of the rainbow and is sure to get them interested.
The key to maintaining the health and happiness of your children during COVID-19 is by choosing not to fixate on what they (and you) are missing out on, but rather, focusing on what you can all gain from the experience. With proactive health measures and renewed perspective, parents can maximise the chances of their children leveraging some good memories from the COVID-19 chapter of their lives.
For more information about Medescan’s full range of products, please visit: medescan.com.au
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