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Help your child grow during the lockdown

October 12, 2020 12:54 IST

Let the kids just idle out their time. Their minds are always working.
Let that mind develop naturally, advises Dr Himani Kulkarni.

Is your child driving you crazy?

IMAGE: Actress Sameera Reddy gets a kiss frfom her son Hans Varde. Kindly note the image has only been posted for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sameera Reddy/Instagram

Ask any parent of a five-year-old what they think about dealing with kids in the lockdown and pat they'd reply: 'My god, he/ she is driving me crazy. I don't know how to keep him/ her entertained!'

Keeping children busy has been a real challenge for all parents -- working and non working as well.

Children are power houses of energy. Some exhibit physical energy whereas some channel it mentally.

During childhood the brain develops at a phenomenal pace forming millions of new neurons every moment.

New experiences, new stimuli promote this process and is responsible for a good development of IQ that the child is born with.

This is the prime reason why children should be exposed to a variety of experiences since infancy.

Other reasons for engaging children in meaningful activities are to expend the excessive physical and mental energy, to keep them away from rote, harmful addictions like TV, mobile, games etc.

Interacting with the child also improves the bonding between parents and the child and reduces behavioural disturbances.

There are different ways of keeping a child entertained according to age groups.

Having said all this, let the kids just idle out their time. Their minds are always working.

Let that mind develop naturally.

Don't restrict it by continuous structured activities.

Free play, pottering around the house are a must for all round development of a child.

Be patient, imaginative and encouraging with your children. All they need is your attention and affection.

Dr Himani Kulkarni is a psychiatrist at the Jupiter Hospital, Mumbai.

DR HIMANI KULKARNI