The New Normal

COVID-19, seems like an everyday phrase today. A part and parcel of our life it has become. Ask any child “why are you staying home today?” Pat comes the answer “Its corona outside” Funny as it seems, even children have in cooperated corona into their everyday vocabulary.

The first week of March saw my children and myself meeting teachers and friends in person and come May now we meet online. As a speech therapist, I saw my students in my office and now I see them online. And this the new norm and reality and for many it hasn’t still kicked in.

The COVID-19 has forced many of us to isolate ourselves without interaction for months now. And now what about the post COVID-19 lockdown? Many of us have managed to keep working on an online platform and keep ourselves engaged. What about our children? Online classes are the new norm. From the Kindergarten section to higher up classes are moving online. And children will find it hard to focus. For the young ones who like constant movement and activity, sitting for hours with screen time and teachers is going to difficult. Attention problems, learning problems may be on the rise. And stress and anger will skyrocket.

So just a few thoughts on how to manage this new norm

• Start telling your child about the online classes early on.

• In a day keep an hour for them screen time with meaningful activities rather than video games.

• Put up a visual timetable or chart that the children can follow to reduce stress levels.

• Use a well-lit comfortable room without sound distractions while doing an online class.

• Eat light healthy breakfast and keep them well hydrated in between hours.

• Since classes will be in groups, practice early with your child, single and one to one online class if possible.

• Keep in frequent touch with teachers, friends and other students to discuss difficulties or any other problems faced.

Well, to borrow quote from Italian Communist theorist Antonio Gramsci, written in the 1930s: “The old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born, now is the time of monsters.” The old world of classroom sittings meeting friends and hi-fi’s are looking to be a distant past, this is the new online norm. Let’s help our children step up and face the new norm.