4 ways parents can help children learn at home amid quarantine

Early childhood is a crucial time where kids need learning and guidance more than ever.

However, because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, young children have no choice but to stay at home and stop going to learning centers.

READ: Parents, here's how you can protect your children from online threats

According to United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the abrupt stop on learning can lead to toxic stress among children.

This can produce “high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that disrupts the process of brain development by limiting the proliferation of brain cells, damaging health, learning and behavior.”

To continue and sustain the young children’s learning at home, here are a few things parents can do according to UNICEF’s child development experts.

READ: UNICEF PHL launches TikTok channel to share relevant information to youth 

1. Listen and interact.

During this period, children need a safe space for them to express their feelings and ask questions amid the distress they may feel.

“Your children must feel secure in your love. Consistent and supportive adult caregiving—together with adequate nutrition—are the best ways to offset the effects of multiple adversity and to support healthy brain development,” said UNICEF Philippines early childhood development officer Cecille Dajoyag.

Parents should be able to interact with their children meaningfully and always reassure them that their feelings are valid. This will not only make the young ones feel secure amid trying times, but also help hone a special bond between parents and children.

2. Bond and create activities together.

According to UNICEF, children need nurturing care to develop their full potential. To achieve this, they advised for parents to create a routine with their children where they can observe their interests, abilities, and learning styles.

They can do activities together such as playing games, reading stories, and even working on household chores together. Not only will this help children cope with the stress but also provide more ways for parent and child to bond together.

3. Learn with them.

Amid the health crisis, it’s important for parents to show genuine enthusiasm in learning and discovering new things with their children.

Aside from doing social-emotional and play-based learning, UNICEF also suggested that parents can also incorporate dances and songs, especially about the safeguards during the pandemic.

4. Use play to learn.

UNICEF shared that play allows children to develop their cognitive, language, and social skills.

Children can use items available at home such as socks, plastic bottles, and even shakers for their learning and development.

It is also important to de-gender toys, shared UNICEF, and allow young girls to play with traditionally considered “masculine” toys and let young boys play with “feminine” toys.

What’s important is that these toys and play time support their fine motor development, early language development, and social skills. – RC, GMA News