EUL Academician Direktör; Parents are tasked with helping their children adapt to the “new life”

European University of Lefke (EUL) Psychology Department academic staff member Assist. Assoc. Dr. Cemaliye Direktör shared information on “Being a Child in Pandemic”. “Coronavirus, Covid-19 and pandemic were the words we heard most frequently this year,” said Direktör. Despite these new terms, children suddenly started home education with the closure of schools ”and stated that children learned how to protect themselves against these terms, which were a new learning in this process, and abided by the established rules such as using hand disinfectants and wearing masks for protection.

“Over the age of 65 was reported as the biggest risk group. Children who were described as supercarriers were the ones who went through this process in the most different ways. Suddenly the parents were at home; then his parents went back to work, but they could not go to school. They tried to take their lessons remotely, but it turned out that school is more important than teaching. Because children learn how to communicate with their friends in the school environment, express their feelings with games, how they can solve their problems, etc. They learn, ”said Direktör, while continuing the lessons as distance education, they were deprived of playing in the park and meeting with their friends.

Children learn from their parents and how to react

“As we cannot return to our old lives, they cannot return. They also experience anxiety, as we do. Because uncertainty causes anxiety in every individual, ”said Direktör and stated that in this process, parents are charged with helping to calm their children and adapt to the“ new life ”. “Children learn from their parents what and how to react. In the process of complying with the pandemic, rules and new life, they will react in the same way as their parents react. ”Therefore, the director stated that first of all, parents should face their losses and develop coping strategies to adapt to the new life. The director stated that only then, parents can spend more quality time with their children and respond to their needs and raise their children as stronger personalities for the future.

Direktör: Guide children to sports or create sportive activities to spend their energy

Direktör continues her words as follows; “It is in the nature of children to ask questions. Do not leave the children’s questions unanswered, do not pass over. If you don’t know, say honestly and search and find the right information together. Direct their energies into sports or create sporting activities. Let them paint and let them freely reflect their feelings. Encourage them to read books. Read them as an example. Their interest in lessons may seem diminished, let them enjoy learning rather than qualifying work as a task. Curiosity is the best motivation to study. The children will be back to school, prepare them. “Plan events for them to meet with their friends.”