A new or extraordinary activity can become a holiday and provide entertainment to the childrenJakarta (ANTARA) - In light of the coronavirus pandemic, parents must make children aware of the need for following health protocols and making them a part of day-to-day life to prevent infections, a clinical psychologist has said.
Parents can also consider introducing children to a new style of vacation that does not involve activities outside the home, especially during school holidays, to reduce the spike in COVID-19 cases, said Andini Sugeng, a child and adolescent clinical psychologist with the Integrated Clinic of the University of Indonesia (UI).
"Especially in the midst of a pandemic that requires people to maintain physical distance to avoid transmission, parents can accompany their children's vacation at home, not in crowded places. If they (children) need to go outside, then they need to be given an understanding of the need to avoid crowds," she said when contacted by ANTARA here on Friday.
Indonesia has been battling the COVID-19 pandemic for more than a year, therefore, children should already understand how to apply the health protocols and the importance of doing activities at home, she pointed out.
Most families should already be aware of the risks of the impact of holidays in the midst of a pandemic, she said. However, the need for vacations still needs to be fulfilled, she added.
Hence, parents are expected to be able to explain to their children about the risks of holidaying outside the home amid an increase in COVID-19 cases, she said. Parents also need to prepare activities at home to make the holiday atmosphere at home more fun, she added.
“A new or extraordinary activity can become a holiday and provide entertainment to the children. Such an activity needs to be adjusted to the age of the child. The type of holiday for children will be different from the type of holiday for teenagers,” said Sugeng.
Meanwhile, to build awareness about the importance of maintaining personal health in the family, parents need to set an example of a healthy lifestyle for their children, she added.
"Avoid activities that are passive, lazy, especially related to daily activities that need to involve a healthy lifestyle, cleanliness and daily independence, such as getting up early, bathing, eating, exercising," she advised.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia, Katriana
Editor: Sri Haryati
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