As adults, we often miss our ‘good old childhood days’. We have come to a more advanced and fast age, but our fond memories still lie in those times when we used to be kids. With time, many things have changed, either for good or bad.
When we look at children today, we see a marked difference in how they are spending their childhood versus what we used to do. Not going into specific details, let us look at some things that have changed over time for your children and how can we help them cope with it.
There could be many more things but we have listed FIVE for you.
Education: Classrooms have become more interactive and innovative, but more technology-dependent. However, education has become more diverse and inclusive. The education system has undergone several changes over the years but some of the key areas that have impacted students are the emergence of private schools, the introduction of an SEL-based curriculum, classroom dynamics, Competition, and the Mode of learning.
As parents and educators, we need to encourage our children to focus on life and social skills along with academic knowledge because they are the basic building blocks of character building which will help them face the future.
Mental Health: A study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) found that 23% of school children in India have mental health problems. There has been a drastic shift in the mental state of students. Now they face mental issues from an early age-related to stress, academic performance, bullying, cyberbullying, and others. Due to the easy access to technology, we see new avenues of stress and mental degradation for kids.
Mental health issues are as real for children as they are for adults hence they should not be ignored. We can help them cope with mental health better by opening better channels of communication and support. Encouraging kids to talk more, practice mindfulness, and build a positive self-image can be some of the ways to start with.
Playtime: nowadays, we see how structured and unstructured playtime has been taken over by gadgets and technology. Kids have become more dependent on technology-led playtime. Sometimes it can be constructive as well, rather they also get exposed to the evils of cyber-crime while playing online. Their current lifestyle which has seen a considerable reduction in outdoor activities will probably lead to lifestyle diseases much ahead as they grow. The types of toys and games have also changed over time. Though we have new-age skill-based toys that help to enhance creativity, critical thinking, etc., there can be adverse effects as well.
We need to increase their unstructured playtime and encourage them for physical activities. Their online playtime or screen time should be restricted and supervised for young children.
Influence: Today’s kids often feel pressured to follow trends or are mostly influenced by peers or someone they follow. The concept of body image has become more acute in recent times. Hence, things like body shaming, cult culture, etc. influence their mental and physical state. With access to the internet and social media, kids have become more conscious about their image in groups or preferences.
As parents, we need to keep a check on who they follow and why. We should be aware of their peer groups and their dynamics. It might also be a good idea to know the parents of other kids in the group. In case you think something is wrong, talk to your teen son or daughter to understand them rather than reprimanding them. Be a good role model in terms of your own conduct and behaviour.
Family Life: Earlier, kids were expected to start taking responsibility much earlier in life. Helping with household chores, taking care of siblings, getting a job – everything was quite different. Nowadays, often we see a laid-back attitude because they get things at their disposal which makes them reluctant to value things, time, and effort. Parents have also become busier and they tend to spend less time with kids leading to the diminishing bond and communication between them. Kids are used to getting expensive gifts which makes them feel entitled.
As parents, we must spend quality family time away from gadgets. Get involved in their activities and playtime to an extent. Encourage delayed gratification and mindfulness to raise them as responsible individuals while letting them enjoy their childhood in the right spirit.
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