PANDEMIC - PROOFING OUR STUDENTS: AN ARTICLE BY MRS. NEETI TIWARI

 

COVID -19, a demon, that is slowly but surely engulfing the physical, psychological and emotional health of homo sapiens all over the world. This deadly virus has severely impacted the overall health and well-being of our young children. Not, only their energy and vitality has been locked –down but there is so much unnecessary exposure to gadgets, social media, gaming, chatting, in some cases domestic violence, sexual exploitation and abuse too.

I, as a post-graduate in Child Psychology and a Head of School of a premier Government-run institution, have had a long inning in the field of growth and development of children and adolescents from the age of four to their young adulthood until their late teen years. Since the needs of each age group are different so I thought of a few games and play-way methods to keep their morale high and also to keep them active in the difficult time amidst the pandemic and lockdowns.

As educationists and academicians, we all appreciate the fact that the child has to be in a state of optimum physical and mental health to perform well academically. Here are some of my suggestions and guidelines which I shared with my staff members to be implemented in their respective classes in the online mode.

 

1}  YOUNG CHILDREN – 5 to 8 YEARS

A] OBSTACLE RACE: An obstacle course can be created at home with anything safe and soft like some toys, small utensils, pillows etc. The child has to go through it and reach a goal (can be a toy/ gift/ candy) as fast as he or she can. They should try to beat their own record every time. This would not only make the kids physically active but mentally alert as well and also hone their motor - skills too.

 

2}  PRE-TEEN -9 to 12 YEARS

A} MAKE A SNACK: The child will be encouraged to prepare a snack for the family (2-3 times a week) with the challenge to use as many colours in their dish as they can and also present it differently each time. The colours can be incorporated using fruits, vegetables, spices, pulses, and nuts – whatever ingredient is easily available in the kitchen. This will also become an opportunity for healthy eating for the child and the family.

B} GET MOVING: Make an online group and do Yoga/Pilates to some nice and trendy musical beats. Exercising together removes boredom and also enhances fitness and immunity.

 

3}  THE YOUNG ADULTS – 13 to 18 YEARS

A} THE BOOK CLUB: Read your own and one another’s favourite books and then talk about them on a Google Meet Reading Session. Group readings and discussions enhance vocabulary-building as well as better comprehension and retention.  

2} PLAY TEACHER: All students are given a chance to prepare a topic they can present by their turn. Each kid becomes the online teacher for the day. This boosts their confidence and promotes joyful peer-group learning.

 

Having implemented these techniques and methodologies in my school, I can vouch for the fact that these have helped to maintain optimum physical and mental health in my students as well as their families. A sound mind and body are pre-requisite to great academic performance, which we have attained successfully using these easy techniques. My teachers and staff members bring back reports of healthy learning and happy students in their class who are flourishing and blossoming despite the deadly pandemic.

 As an educator and an entrepreneur in the field of child development, it gives me immense satisfaction that these little games and techniques have brought joy to the life of my precious students.

 

Thank you,

Neeti Tiwari

HOS, SKV, DC VIKASPURI