By Annette Willett – Associate Occupational Therapist at the Purple House Clinic, Loughborough
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A New Normal
COVID-19 has introduced not least a new virus; but a new way of life for all of us. Children are spending their days at home in a way that is alien compared with their usual routine, with loss of school, loss of extra-curricular activities, loss of trips out (even to the shops!), and loss of ‘in person’ contact with friends and extended family members. Parents will be concerned about the effect this may have on their children’s development, their physical and mental health as well as their family’s wellbeing. An additional and lingering challenge of this virus is the uncertainty around when life will get back to ‘normal’, or if we will ever go back to that normal. Are we looking at a new normal? It seems ‘a given’ now that many logistical aspects of our lives will be altered more permanently, and we have no choice but to adapt.
Supporting Our Children
Children have many roles in their life which give them meaning and a sense of purpose – they are sons/daughters, cousins, grandchildren, playmates, pupils, learners, helpers, growers, friends, siblings, ballerinas, runners, climbers, artists etc. etc. What we must remember with children is they are internally programmed to fulfill these roles and to develop and grow, not only physically, but emotionally too. The challenges of life rarely thwart these drives and, if we can support our children during this period with clear and containing messages and boundaries, we will allow that innate drive to continue. During covid-19, we can help our children to find new ways to fulfill these roles and to, more generally, engage in activities of everyday life that give them purpose.
Top Tips:
Here are some top tips to help address the occupational challenges that covid-19 present for children:
www.rcot.co.uk/staying-well-when-social-distancing
