No more regular school, no meeting friends, no more evening playtime, no playdates, and no catching up with family friends for dinners and lunches--children just like adults are forced to isolate themselves and with the new normal of social distancing, experts are getting worried about kids losing their social skills of interacting with other children and learning to live compatibl-y in a society.
Therefore it becomes important for us as a parent and a caregiver to not let social distancing affect their social abilities. Here are some tips:
Introduce kids to new and traditional activities: It is simple for one to interact with friends and others through video calls. For kids, it might get boring after a while. You can introduce them to writing letters and emails to their friends and family members. The whole process will fill them up with excitement as well as force them to brainstorm and learn to put down their feelings on paper with creative ideas. It will also keep them in touch with the niceties of the society--greeting elders, saying proper hello and byes. You can ask them to design a card for a friend or a relative and email or post it.
Taking online interactive classes with friends: If your child has a drawing buddy or a dance-loving group, try to find or organize an online interactive session for them with a professional artist. This will not only help them learn something new or polish their old skills but also make it a fun process for them as they will have their friends doing the same thing along.
Plan trips in the outdoors: Try and take walks together in the society/neighbourhood following all the safety protocols. While doing so, encourage your kids to express their feelings. Let them know it is okay to be scared while going outside, assure them and have a clear conversation with them about how they are taking safety measures while doing so.
Say hello/shout out: Open up the window and teach them to say ‘Hello, take care’ to the passersby. This will not only make your kids feel happy but also let them know the importance of kindness and the joy of spreading happiness after seeing the smile on the stranger's faces irrespective of the tough times that everyone is in. It additionally helps them with developing socio-emotional skills.
Take virtual tours: There are many websites that give you a virtual tour to different places, especially museums. Plan group calls for your kids and their friends as an experience gets enriched when shared with close friends.
Connect: Use this opportunity of isolation to connect with your child on a deeper level. When you interact with your child and get to know them and let them know you on a deeper level, it helps them to open up easily.
Sometimes with a child, to understand her/him better, it is worth bringing out the child in you.