How to guide your child through Covid-19

The impact of Covid-19 has left long-lasting scars etched into the fabric of society and our community.

As we adapt to the new normal and get used to living under the regulations of Level 1, its imperative that parents and teachers keep an eye on learners to ensure they are as healthy and happy as possible.

To learn more about what parents and teachers can do the NEWS spoke to Edenvale-based psychologist Colleen Johnson.

With over 18 years of experience as a psychologist and several years as a teacher, Colleen knows how important stability, safety and routine is in a child’s life.

She said with the arrival of the pandemic and the enforcement of the regulations there was an increase in the number of community members seeking assistance.

Colleen said those seeking assistance ranged from children, teenagers to adults.

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“The increase in the number of young children with anxiety, worrying about factors beyond their control, is unbelievable. There has also been an increase in those feeling alone and in distress or feeling isolated. With the lockdown many children had the feeling that they had lost their tribe.”

Colleen attributed the influx of people seeking assistance to increased stress, marital or relationship problems, uncertainty and fear of being unemployed.

“The unknown variables of Covid-19, being bombarded with information enormously affected everyone.

“People who may have had anxious dispositions or underlying mental conditions may have found their disorders exacerbated.”

Colleen said as role models and significant persons in the lives of children parents and teachers need to ensure that they keep as calm and composed as possible.

“Children are keen observers and are extremely sensitive to mood changes when they see an adult behave in a certain manner they will try model that behaviour.

“With many children not going to school, their routines have changed entirely which has contributed to their high levels of anxiety.”

She said many children are now worried about leaving the safety of their homes and falling ill.

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“During this time it is important that we as role models keep children safe but help them normalise so that get on with their lives.”

Colleen said there are several methods parents and teachers can use to help learners adapt to their new normal these include safety, age-appropriate information, socialisation, keeping busy/exercise and communication.

Safety

“Children need to feel safe during these times so that they can adapt to the pandemic and the structures in place. I think many schools have gone above and beyond the regulations stipulated by the government to try and assist learners” She said it is impressive to see how much earners have adapted to masks, the social distancing and other measures already.

Age-appropriate content
Parents in particular need to make sure that there are boundaries in place to ensure that their child listens to appropriate information.
“There is so much hype and information about the virus and the deaths a lot of it is too much or age-inappropriate for children of a certain age.”

Socialisation, keeping busy and exercise
Colleen said during the lockdown everyone was forced to remain connected through the use of technology. With the arrival of Level 1 parents and children have more ways of staying connected and keeping busing. Colleen encouraged families to go for walks together to spend time together and to keep the serotonin levels up.

“Like vitamin D, which we get from the sun, serotonin is a natural antidepressant and is often released when we physically exert ourselves or exercise, by staying indoors anxiety levels will only increase.”
Colleen highlighted that parents and teachers should encourage children to take up hobbies to not only keep them out of the house but to keep themselves distracted.

She said this is extremely important when it comes to adolescents as many adolescents often turn to the web when they get bored.

“Teens or adolescents will often look to make new friends but go about it destructively and inappropriately.”
Communication.

“Communication and consistency are vital during this time, it is key to better understanding one another and knowing what a child is going through.

“Have conversations as a family, as a class, let children voice their fears, reassure them that everything will work out.”

Colleen encouraged parents and teachers to be there for children and teens as much as possible to help them during this turbulent time.