How to help children during epidemic

Teachers and parents are increasingly wondering how children experience the current situation and what it means for their future lives.

What marks will the epidemic and measures to contain it leave on children? There are no clear answers yet, says expert Dr. Mojca Juriševič from the Faculty of Education.

But we know that many of you are in need.

She advised parents and teachers on how to help children cope with the precarious situation.

For healthy development, children need a sense of security, connection and trust, as well as a sense that they can actively contribute, says the expert.

You gain these feelings and experiences at home, strengthen them in relationships with friends and classmates, but also at school.

The school is an environment that recognises and promotes your interests, invites you to acquire knowledge, teaches you how to deal with obstacles, and teaches you to learn, work and love together.

»We know from the first wave of the epidemic that children took measures to prevent the spread of the infection and tried to do their schoolwork in exceptional circumstances. But as kindergarten and school moved home, they began to miss peers, teachers, and school every day. For the most part, they managed to adapt to the emergency situation; how well depended on their families and the concrete support of the schools. Children with special needs and those from families with various problems experienced severe hardships during this time.«

How can adults contribute to the well-being of children and adolescents in the given situation?

It is extremely important that we talk, says the expert.

»Ask them how they feel, what they think, what worries them. Answer to their questions and look together with them for answers that are appropriate for their age and level of understanding.«

Corona should not be at the centre of everyday life, but on the other hand we should not pretend that everything is normal.

»Let’s not show anger and dissatisfaction with the restrictions in front of children. We can share thoughts, concerns, emotions with them, we don’t need to play the role of a superhero whom nothing upsets.«

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The original version of this article was published on November 11th.

English translation courtesy of JL Flanner, Total Slovenia News, an English language website with news from and about Slovenia.