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Make your Child feel comfortable with you
Times are tough and it has been a roller coaster ride for most of us since covid struck us last year. As we adults struggle to cope with this unprecedented situation and feel unsure and anxious at times, we have to be more careful towards our children. They are in their growing years and they imitate the adults at home, copying their behaviour, reaction and ethics. So, making them comfortable with the situation and also getting them to react appropriately are very crucial things you need to bring into their lives now. Here are a few quick tips that can be useful to you as a parent to keep your child healthy and comfortable.
Imbibing good hygiene habits
Covid has taught us the hard way that good hygiene matters. Earlier, we used to be happy teaching our kids the basics of physical hygiene and did not regard it as a critical element of learning. But, with covid raging havoc, we must teach our kids how important it is to keep oneself safe. Teaching them the proper method of washing their hands, wearing masks and also cleaning themselves well are extremely important. It’s not only about telling them to practice but also being very careful with your practices, so that your child follows what they see.
Including them in discussion and teaching responsibility
Kids are fast learners and they are very sensitive to the environment around them. So, even if they are too young to understand complicated things, sometimes explaining topics which may not directly relate to them in an easy comprehensible manner is important. The choice of proper words and tone is very crucial in such situations. It’s about getting them to feel important and developing a sense of responsibility in difficult situations. They may not be experienced enough to make decisions, but the habit of involving them in something serious will get them excited and feel involved. Keeping them away from reality, and being overprotective will harm their development as well. Hence, include them in discussions where they can observe how elders react or handle things. It will be a great learning for them.
Listen to them
Never ignore what your kids are trying to say to you because you are either too busy or think that your child is being frivolous. But this can be both dangerous and damaging. Sometimes a kid may be trying to seek help or sharing some observation which if known by the parent can help avoid some mishap. So, ignoring their words can prove quite dangerous. Alternately, if you keep ignoring their words, it’s very damaging to the confidence and mental buildup of your kid. The kid will suffer from low esteem and will stop approaching you with important things in future. Therefore, encourage kids to share whatever they wish to. And remember, it is always important to correct your child if he or she is going in the wrong direction or has made a mistake, but be careful about how you react or correct. If you always react harshly, they may feel scared and stop approaching you.
Spend time with them – both teaching and playing
As a guardian it’s your priority to take care of your kid’s all-round development. Just as education and academic excellence is important, personal development as a human being is also very vital for your child. As a parent you are the best one who can help in their development and guide them. Spend time with your child as much as you can but plan it well, keeping a balance of different subjects in it. As you play with your kid, maybe you can involve academic elements into it. It is a great way for the child to practice them with you and you can also check the extent of your child’s learning vis a vis the formal curriculum. Also remember to be playful with the child at times. Your kid should not perceive you as someone who only asks mathematical tables or identifies the names of fruits and colors (all very academic for them). Involving such things during regular play time makes the child feel relaxed, happy and learning is also quickly achieved. As the saying goes – All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! So don’t let your child grow up old. Teaching mixed with play is the best form of learning your child can have.
Conclusion
Your child needs you more than anyone else in the world. As parents it is understood that you do not want to cause damage to your child, but sometimes ignorance or overprotection, both can hurt. So, try to keep a balance as you handle your child. Just as teaching the child the realities of life is important, making him or her feel comfortable with you is also very crucial for a healthy development.
