Turn self-isolation into family bonding time: Tips to keep kids engaged during lockdown

Presenting pitches from your sofa, collaborating on team decks remotely and bringing your laptop to the breakfast table. Working from home is an adjustment for many. But adding children to the mix brings its own complexities.

How do parents keep their children entertained and engaged while they juggle team video conference calls and draft presentations? What happens to snack time, play-time and me-time?

ETPanache spoke to a few pediatricians, counsellors and parenting consultants to understand how parents and children can adjust to this new normal.

Talk to your children
“First, explain clearly to children why we are all forced to be indoors and the importance of adhering to this restriction,” says Parul Ohri, founding member, Momspresso.com. “Once they understand the reasoning, you will be surprised at how much more willing they will be to comply.”


Set up a routine
“It starts with a routine, not only for kids but also for us parents,” says Ohri. “Children need to understand this is not a vacation and that they must have fixed mealtimes and bedtimes. Many schools have started online study sessions already, which would take up a large part of their day. It would be useful to have a time-table of different activities they can do on their own while you finish your work. Chores like making their bed and cleaning up their room do not require your supervision. ”

Ohri believes chores are a golden opportunity for parents to teach children to develop critical life skills and have them take up ageappropriate and gender-neutral responsibilities of housework.

Use nap times
According to parenting consultant Sonali Shivlani, it’s the younger children that will be the toughest to keep engaged. “Older kids are easier — involve them in housework, assign duties since the staff is not coming in. Maximum entertainment and parent attention is needed for the younger age group. Parents should try and get maximum work done during their naptimes. Since both parents are home, they can take turns. Try and ensure that (the child’s) sleep time is maintained.”

Gadgets or no gadgets
In times like this, some parents are wary of giving their children too much screen time even while they struggle to keep them occupied. “Don’t fight screen time,” suggests Ohri. “(Instead) keep an age appropriate quota and use digital media strategically to get you through the most difficult times of the day.”

Benaaz Irani, senior school counselor at Aditya Birla World Academy, agrees, saying it is almost impossible to limit and supervise screen time. Instead, she advises parents to find ways to make screen time more productive such as attending virtual classes via Skype and Zoom, reading e-books, opting for virtual museum or zoo tours and watching YouTube videos for easy revision of concepts. “Children can even sign up for short courses online on photography, sketching or coding,” she says.

Nurture a hobby
Parents should make the most of this period. “If the goal is to raise well-balanced, well-adjusted children with a broad base of knowledge, we need to move away from the idea that education is only what is taught in schools,” says Dr Jyoti Suvarna, HOD-Pediatrics, Holy Spirit Hospital. “Some kids have a passion for painting or drawing or storytelling. Develop tasks that tap that passion. For younger kids, you could give them building blocks or a stepping stool that they can exercise on. Use this time to connect with your children and bond with them as a family.”

Exercise is one great way. Shivlani advises setting aside some time each day to work out with them indoors.

“This not only engages the child but helps let off some pent-up energy.”