The challenges that a pandemic brings upon the human kind is tragic. Our lives have transformed tremendously over the past few months, locked-in within the four walls of our homes. As we all may feel frustrated, and immobile, the stringent measures may be taking a toll on our young ones. Even the naughtiest, and most wilful little Tom Sawyer is down on his knees, confessing that he misses the school! For parents, especially those work-from-home moms, these times could be strenuous with the restless young minds chewing off your peace and self-restraint!
it is quite natural that kids find these uncertain, locked-in times hard to comprehend. However, this could be the best time for them to learn a few things, do things differently, explore new hobbies, and try their hands at a few life-skills. And as a good parent, you may help the little prisoners “survive” this lock-out phase victoriously. Let’s find out how to deal with them and help them cope up in the healthiest and most productive way during these quarantine days.
How does a child’s brain work?
Though it may sound difficult, we would explain how a child’s brain works and gradually develops to be capable of maturing into a fully-functional adult brain. The brain architecture is compartmentalized into memories and its learnings are directly proportional to the experiences it registers. A child takes these memories, whether good or bad, along as they grow into adulthood and they tend to shape the child’s behaviour, attitudes, response and learning patterns.
‘Cognitive, emotional, and social capacities are inextricably intertwined throughout the life course.’ Your child’s foundational memories play a vital role in his/her cognitive-linguistic capabilities that later takes over the academic performances, social behaviour and workplace ethics.
The brain connects through Neurons and creates interlinked connections called Synapses.
The brain tries to learn by experience, and strengthens the connections through repeated experiences. It also forgets those connections that are rarely used.
The reason for babies learning rapidly than adults is because Synapses appear more frequently and easily in toddlers and babies than in adults.
The brain reaches 80% of growth by the time your kid is just 3 years old!
Upto the age 6, your kid’s brain is developed. Like motor skills development, emotional responses, cognitive abilities, linguistic abilities are all matured and ready to be put to use.
How the lockdown has changed the learning pattern of kids to gain cognitive abilities?
Because of this lockdown, children are learning differently than usual. They are no longer in a controlled environment, like a school or play school, under the charge of trained professionals who are meant to guide them with their capabilities. They are at home, their most comfortable zone. So, you might be thinking that your kids may be losing their critical time of personal development or cognitive ability development. Not necessarily. Even at home, you can enhance the cognitive abilities of your kid. Here are a few tips.
Engage them in brain-games:
As simple as they sound, diverse activities like crosswords, puzzles, solving a maze, a game of chess, etc benefit your kids by strengthening their cognitive abilities and thinking skills.
Set up smaller goals:
Children, by creation, are masterminds in innovation! Within their minds are volcanoes of creativity that are waiting to explode. All they need is an external trigger; a ‘disciplined’ push to set them on. Finding small easy goals and achieving them would boost their morals. This is essential to keep them going. Remember not to set higher goals all at once. Increase the level of difficulty gradually. It can be learning a new language that involves retention or solving a Rubik’s Cube.
The need for brain-workouts:
If you are encouraging your kids to learn new words everyday, then help them to apply those words in a sentence later in their conversations. This is a classic example of memory and implementation of learning. You kid is learning how to trace their memory and to practically utilize it in situations. They not only learn a new word, but also learn to fit into a sentence that will appropriately bring out its true meaning.
Dedicated time for problem solving:
In developing the cognitive abilities of a child, problem solving is a major aspect that needs some attention. Scratch Coding can be a brilliant idea if you want to shed some light into the problem solving abilities of your kids. This is an amazing activity that your kid can learn through some online classes from the Mind Mentorz at your home.
Better with a companion:
If you are encouraging reading habits in your child, take a book and sit beside her/him. As said, kids learn from experiences. He/she will be regularly seeing you reading and that would inculcate in them an interest in that habit. Their brain would identify a period of time as ‘reading hour’ and your kid will automatically develop a habit in reading. Sharing in their activities also helps in family bonding.
Though kids must be the ones most affected by the current Corona lock-out, as a parent this is your best time to spend with them and engage them in healthy activities. Remember, the dark clouds do not prevail for long! Soon the sun will be out and so will be your kids! And they will spring back into action before you could even say “enough!”. So cherish these times and guide your little ones through some cognitive skills development. There are mentors who are available online to reach out to your kids and engage them in a productive way. You may enrol your kids for some online classes at Mind Mentorz and see them enjoy their indoor days!