When adult endeavour meets youthful enterprise

GURUGRAM: Child psychologists and researchers across the world have been attempting to assess the damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, on the mental health of children. Meanwhile, mothers and fathers everywhere have been struggling bravely to juggle various roles — employee, domestic help and teacher — under one roof.
In Gurugram, the city’s RWAs have come to the aid of the parents, stepping in to engage children through, for example, online yoga and debates, special counselling sessions and creative ways to make them aware of the novel coronavirus.

“Parenting is an art and a pleasurable experience which has become a little more challenging in times like these, when parents not only have to keep the children at home but also engage them in interesting ways to keep them busy,” said Rahul Dahiya, RWA secretary at IREO Skyon. “This time is the real test of parenting skills.”
So, IREO Skyon’s youngest residents have been engaging online via virtual groups, and receiving mindfulness training. Still, the more each member of the family — including the children — occupies himself/herself with household chores such as washing, cleaning and cooking, the better they will be able to bond, believes Dahiya. Such, indeed, have been the positive learnings of this lockdown.
Out at Suncity, residents organised a talent hunt for girls and boys. The winners were rewarded by having their artworks and poems printed in Aas, the weekly e-newsletter. “Everyone was excited to take part in the painting, singing and debating competitions, for it helped lessen the burden on parents,” shared Kuldeep Rana, president, Suncity RWA.
It wasn’t much different at Tulip Violet, where residents created a private group on social media, where the young ones could participate in dancing, singing and painting contests. And that wasn’t all. “On Facebook, parents upload their daily experiences with family — they would suggest children’s authors, share recipes to try out with kids, and make funny TikTok videos too,” revealed RWA president Puneet Goyal.
And in IREO Uptown, the RWA conducted virtual quizzes and debating sessions to keep the children happily diverted. However, it is the kids who have led the way here, raising awareness around the virus by designing banners and posters on social distancing and hygiene. “Our Team Jashn tries to come up with novel ways to keep us occupied and out of boredom during these days,” informed RWA president Pranav Kumar.
Pursuits were as fun as they were enlightening. “All efforts to keep us entertained and instil a sense of togetherness – the WhatsApp quiz was great fun and a huge success,” Kumar added.
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