5 WAYS TO HELP CHILDREN SOCIALISE IN THE POST-PANDEMIC WORLD

As schools re-open across the country, so do playgrounds, playdates, parties, and opportunities for kids to finally step out. The Omicron wave of COVID ensured that most kids were further pushed indoors. All of this has taken a toll on kids mental health and many parents are realising it now.

Amaira’s parents followed all the necessary precautions all through the Covid-19 pandemic. They shielded her from all possible dangers of the novel virus. They stayed at home, away from relatives, friends, and group activities. As a result, Amaira was doing online schooling as a first and then second-grader throughout the pandemic.
As things began to open up again, Amaira’s parents began to hear a new signature phrase from her: “I don’t want to go.” Not to her dance class, not the art and craft store, not even her favourite restaurant.
After all the events of the past two years, 7-year-old Amaira was nervous and apprehensive about re-engaging with the world outside her close-knit family. With the return to in-person school looming, Amaira’s parents were at a loss.

Does this sound familiar?

So what can we do about kids mental health?

As a doctor, I work directly with children and families experiencing anxiety; I have heard many versions of this story as India enters a new stage of the coronavirus pandemic. For some children, avoiding others has become understandably normal, and the path back to pre-pandemic interaction may feel like a challenge to navigate.

It has been two years since the pandemic hit the entire world. The pandemic has brought the world to a still stop. We are still adjusting to life after COVID. This sudden change has impacted everyone on a physical and emotional level. Kids are no different to this situation. But instead, they are more vulnerable to such a shift. Pandemic has locked all of us inside homes for almost two years. But now things are getting back to normal again and, we can move on with our daily routines. 

It is easy for us to adapt ourselves to these changes as adults. However, that is not the case with young kids. Many children are facing problems in socialising after the pandemic. Being isolated with familiar faces and then facing the real world affects kids mental health. They feel anxious, lost, scared and nervous. They could be scared of catching the virus and the consequence of the illness or lack confidence in themselves.

Below are some guidelines you can follow to make life after covid easy for your children. 

4 Points Of Concern To Help Children After Lockdown

1. Look for any signs of stress– Children might face post covid anxiety when they go out and interact with other kids. They might feel stressed as they don’t know how to initiate that bond. It is normal to feel anxious and stressed after being away from all social interactions for such a long time. 
2. Watch your kid closely– Your child may be feeling nervous about going to school after so long. They will refuse to leave you, cry and be clingy. It could be because of the fear of separation and can lead to odd behaviour.
3. Be patient and honest– It is normal for a child to feel stressed and anxious. As parents, we must be patient with them and get them comfortable. Assist your child to understand such sudden changes. It will help them adapt to the new routine better. Being honest with them is better than creating false scenarios. 
4. Take small steps and support them– Going out in the real world post isolation can be overwhelming. It can be a big step for the kids born during lockdowns. Parents are also anxious about the health of the young ones. However, taking them out on short trips like taking a stroll in the garden, going to the nearby grocery store, etc., will make the job easy. 

Social interactions are like training wheels that teach children how to negotiate social situations for the rest of their lives. So, what can parents do to care for both themselves and their children as we gradually transition back to interacting in public?

5 Ways To Make Socializing Easy And Fun

1. Plan play dates at home: Start with your home! Plan play dates for your children at your home by inviting their friends and parents. Children will be in a comfortable environment to start. 
2. Try to maintain a set routine: The pandemic cleared the calendars for most of us that were usually packed with tasks. The slower pace and cosy, low-key bubble-lifestyle was a pleasant change. Help children set their own version of work-life balance. Help them create new routines with regular meal times, a good sleep schedule, organising and completing homework along with necessary breaks.
3. Teach social skills: Kids find it difficult to express their worry about resuming face-to-face social interactions. You can teach your children to initiate conversations. Start with small and manageable steps, like if the child is uncomfortable talking indoors or in front of adults, take them to a park and let them bond while playing. 
4. Family time: Life will get busier for you as parents and your children too. With things going back to normal, you may find it challenging to spend time with family. Try to make new activities as much fun as possible. This will promote the involvement of all family members. Maintain one-on-one family time to help your child feel supported, and they will be able to move to the next step with more confidence. 
5. Tip for toddlers- If your kid is covid born and does not understand the meaning of social life, prepare them. You can invite family members at home or take the help of your friends to look after your kid. It will make them adapt to changes more smoothly. 

Conclusion about kids mental health

Every kid is different, and some might need more social time than others. The good news is that many children like Amaira are highly resilient and recover well from difficult situations. Also, they don’t need tons of friends or a certain kind of interaction to thrive. Even one good friend can help children develop an appreciation for relationships.

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to abrupt and extended changes to family routines associated with worsening mental health, especially in young people. It may take time and patience, but children can find their way back to being comfortable, confident, and’ new normal’ with parental support.

Check out a quick list to prepare your kids for ‘back to school’