BHUBANESWAR: The pandemic has deprived kids of the fun during Children’s Day with schools still being shut.
Experts warned that though several schools have planned and undertaken different online activities to celebrate the occasion, the restrictions on outings and other activities amid Covid-19, are likely to have a lasting impact on children.
“It has been almost eight months now that the schools have been shut. They have been offering online education and celebrating different occasions through the virtual mode, but the limitation on physical activities and keeping the children away from social activities will definitely have an adverse psychological effect on the young minds,” child psychologist Namita Rath said.
She added that the parents and teachers should come to the rescue of the children it such trying times by keeping them engaged in at least small family or neighbourhood gatherings. “Precautions are important, but there is also a need to address the psychological issues of the children, who are in their formative years,” Rath advised.
Several online portals are also offering activities to keep the children engaged during this Children’s Day. “It is indeed a very difficult time for them. At times, they show signs of irritation owing to being confined at home for such a long time. The continuing online activities are no longer of much interest to them,” Niraj Mohapatra, a parent said.
The teachers too said they missed the physical celebrations of Children’s Day this time. “We have planned a surprise for the children and made the teachers perform a dance and put up other cultural activities online. They seemed happy, but the school-level celebrations were missed,” Sandhya Jena, principal of BJEM School, said.