Children are learning from our every response to this pandemic
The world is a canvas and sky is the limit for children. Everything that happens around them is a source of knowledge. The beauty of a child's brain is the simplicity through which they learn and accept.
But this task is tricky for children growing up during the pandemic. 2020 is the toughest year for every generation witnessing it. It would surely be one for decades to come.
Children learn from everything that elders do. Be it our voluntary response to everyday news or the judgments of people around the world. With social media into the picture, a lot more information is available. Especially for pre-teens and teenagers with smartphones.
As much as everyone dreads the pandemic, this time can teach a lot to children. Every response of ours can mold their thinking.
The most valuable lesson would be to live during a crisis. Coronavirus lockdown has caused a historic spike in layoffs across industries. Most people are realizing the value of savings, judicial use of money, and the necessities of life. This is reflecting heavily on low-income families. Many families have cut down their necessities to a bare minimum.
Children are taught the value of money and methods to correctly use them. But it is also teaching how problematic life can be without planning the worst-case scenario. Many families do not have enough savings to live for three months.
Not just the financial aspect, but the mental perspective is equally valuable. Our acknowledgment and decision-making abilities to every problem that comes to us are vital. Whether we take it sportingly, get scared or ignore them is up to us. But it will reflect on our children with any obstacle they face in their lives. We need to be flexible and accepting of changes.
With the world paused and everyone at home, families are facing a lot of disparities between themselves. Our response to these disputes and solutions for them gives them an understanding of how relationships work and what is normal. For example, a small contribution of stitching masks for grandparents can teach children a lot. This is the best time to realize necessities and innovate accordingly.
Also, this is a great time to know the value of digital literacy. Utilities like web search, phone banking, wallet payments etc are valuable today, not only in the context of the pandemic. During the lockdown, many parents explored these digital platforms for the first time with the help of their children. Learning new skills from your children gives them confidence and nurtures the relationship.
Schools are closed but learning isn't. Many teachers are searching for and successfully trying new methods of education. Some are coming up with practical methods of learning with household items while some are using a simple messaging platform like WhatsApp to stay connected with their children. It not only builds a stronger bond between teacher and student but also motivates them to go to school after things settle. There needs to be strong support from parents as well. Continuity of education will be helpful in the long run. Otherwise, three to five months are enough to unlearn a habit.
The pandemic can be the best lesson or the worst experience for the coming generation. Our responses will create a base for what our children become. Let's take a step towards correct decisions today itself, if not already.
Crafting Strategies that Build Brands | Storyteller | Brand Marketing
4 年Beautifully described the holistic aspects of learning and bringing up a child, most of them are usually ignored in the regular routines, yes, it is the opportunity to rethink and work on the value and the all round development of a child vis-a-vis parents.
MPP Candidate at LKYSPP | UNAIDS India | Office of Deputy CM of Delhi | Gandhi Fellow
4 年Nice thought and an effective one in a child's growth but it is a major challenge in the rural areas where the access to technology and internet is less than 50% and parents are hardly interested/aware about the importance of learning. What possible solution can be adopted for such cases?
MEAL expert @ Reliance Foundation
4 年Absolutely Shashank Pandey . We need to first and foremost understand that there is a difference between schooling and learning. Children don't stop learning just because schools are closed. Unnecessary pressure of opening schools and making students attend online classes, especially the ones who do not have access to the technology, seems futile when you understand this difference!
PGT Commerce | Educator | Facilitator
4 年The adversities come when we least it, so knowing how to deal with it is key. I believe that the best skills are learnt in adversities. So we are upskilling ourselves during this pandemic and and passing the same to our children.. And I'm sure we'll come out of it in flying colors.. ??
Strategy - Social Impact & Behaviour Change; Operations, Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation, Processes and Program Management
4 年Great thought - what are children learning, even if they are not taught. We must, certainly give everything we can, to all children for them to grow up as they rightfully should. Look forward to working with you all.?