This article is brought to you in collaboration with Child Development Unit (CDU), Khoo Teck Puat � National University Children�s Medical Institute, National University Hospital.
It has been almost two years of unpredictable social restrictions and adapting to new endemic norms. How have parents and children been coping? We speak with Dr Kang Ying Qi, Deputy Head and Senior Consultant at the Child Development Unit, Khoo Teck Puat � National University Children�s Medical Institute, National University Hospital.
Parents would be no less familiar with the following by now:
- School attendance being interrupted due to a child or classmate having flu or COVID-related quarantine orders. Many parents have also voluntarily paused schooling for their children, or even delayed enrolment. This could mean reduced social opportunities with peers.
- Parents who rely on community resources such as childcare or secondary caregivers like grandparents would have had periods of lost aid when tighter measures interrupted these support.
- The constant changes are unnerving and disruptive to our own routines and other responsibilities, resulting in some of us being less responsive to our children�s needs than we desire. Excessive screen time, insufficient physical activity, irregular sleep and meal times then become possible circumstances affecting our children�s development negatively.
Perhaps, as testament to the resilience of parents, Dr Kang shares her observations, �Parents have become more attuned to the recurrent disruptions in caregiving arrangements. Employers have also become more understanding of challenges faced by parents, such as when childcare arrangements are disrupted, and are more willing to exercise flexible work mode.�
�Children also appear to be coping better in many ways. They understand that school sometimes does not happen due to closures, or that they need to practise home based learning. Technology and our ease of access to it in Singapore are certainly an enabler in these times, compelling both parents and children to become more savvy. We also observe most kids are now used to the routine of wearing a mask before leaving the house and are comfortable with keeping it on most of the time.�
Is it all a positive picture now, with adults and children being adapted to the new norm?
There has, in fact, been a steady rise in the number of patients in CDU since pre-pandemic times.
�The most common conditions that we see in CDU are autism spectrum disorder (ASD), language delays and inattention, making up sixty percent of new preschooler cases in Singapore in 2020. NUH has also seen more referrals for conditions associated with excessive screen time since the pandemic.�
Instead of attributing it to the pandemic, Dr Kang shares that the increase in referrals and diagnoses is more likely due to greater screening efforts in the community and at preschools, as well as greater awareness among parents and teachers.
Related read: The Straits Times: Pandemic habits that hurt your child
Perhaps this is a good reminder not to become complacent, as there could be underlying risks for kids growing up in this pandemic generation.
Dr Kang offers the following advice to parents:
1. Take care of ourselves as we weather this drawn-out period of change and stress
Young children exist within the mini ecosystem that their caregivers create for them. Though it may not be intuitive, when adults take care of themselves first, children have better outcomes, simply because parents can then provide a more responsive and nurturing environment for their children, which in turn can help them buffer possible stressors of growing up in a pandemic.
Source: 4 Self-Care Tips for Parents
2. Continuously re-evaluate the risk-benefit ratio when making choices for our children
Within socially responsible and safe parameters, caregivers should not dismiss activities beneficial for our children. Instead we should find creative ways to fulfill their developmental needs. �In a haste to protect young children from COVID-19, some caregivers might have overly restricted their activities. Refrain from feeling that the pandemic is automatically going to interrupt the development of our kids. They are more resilient than we think � what is learnt can be unlearnt, what is yet to be learnt can be taught in the future. Our decisions as adults should constantly be adjusted as the pandemic moves towards endemicity,� Dr Kang added.
3. Encourage sport and outdoor activitiesYoung children learn best through hands-on exploration, and these activities help them in all aspects of their development such as motor skills, language (e.g. when they listen to and comprehend the rules of a game, or discuss with their peers how and what to play), as well as social and emotional soft skills (e.g. understanding cooperation, team work, winning and losing). In these challenging and uncertain times, it�s an even greater way to build resilience as children learn to overcome challenges and try to achieve something, such as a goal or winning a game.
�Some parents have said that the pandemic has encouraged motor development in their children. Instead of going to malls or indoor places, they are bringing their children on long walks, for bicycle rides or just throwing and kicking a ball in an open area. Moreover, it�s safer being in vast, open spaces than confined, crowded areas, and physical activity is also crucial for children�s growth and health,� said Dr Kang.
Related read:
- Let�s Go Play Outside! - 5 Unique Playgrounds around Singapore to Train Your Child�s Fundamental Movement Skills
- 7 Nature Destinations for Adventurous Families
Take the opportunity to enhance the amount and quality of family time. Many parents have started doing craft, baking and cooking activities to keep homebound children occupied, contributing to fine motor and planning skills. Children have benefitted from more frequent opportunities to enjoy family meals or routines together, compared to when parents had to work outside home.
Related read:
Lastly, Dr Kang�s additional advice for parents of children with special learning needs is just as helpful for other parents.
Source: Managing Learning At Home
For more resources, visit https://www.nuh.com.sg/nuhkids-covid19
Related read:
Socialising vs Social Distancing... Helping your Kids Cope During Covid-19
Related Articles
Related Topics
Recent Events & Programmes
Related Articles
Related Topics
Related Articles
View AllRelated Topics
[BlogPost 162233592997 Gritty Lions Suffer Loss to China, BlogPost 162089384371 On Your Mark, Get Ready, Go Running, BlogPost 161670652697 Lions' Excellent Showing Against China, BlogPost 161435270031 Ogura Optimistic for Exciting Clash against China, BlogPost 161127614758 The Future of Basketball in Singapore: Why 3x3 is Here to Stay, BlogPost 161033673012 The Active Lifestyler's Guide to the New ActiveSG Delta Sport Centre, BlogPost 161128356680 Grand New Champions Crowned at WTT Singapore Smash 2024, BlogPost 160844835218 NSG 2024 Table Tennis: C Div Boys Pool Round, BlogPost 160210745115 NSG 2024 Basketball: Senior Div Girls Tampines Primary School vs Frontier Primary School, BlogPost 159881180544 Whirlwind Return to Women's Football, BlogPost 159633541417 Singapore Smash to Elevate a New Legacy, BlogPost 158983580420 NSG 2024 Rugby: B Div Damai Secondary School vs Peirce Secondary School, BlogPost 159003960202 SFA Fiesta: Kicking off 2024 to a Roaring Start, BlogPost 158830735126 NSG 2024 Football: B Div Girls Preliminary Round Meridian Secondary School VS Bowen Secondary School, BlogPost 158536989718 Team Nila Volunteers Recognized At Awards Ceremony, BlogPost 158270107806 NSG 2024 Hockey: B Div Boys Preliminary Round Raffles Institution VS St. Hilda Secondary School, BlogPost 157966862615 NSG 2024 Floorball: B Division Preliminary Rounds Kick Off!, BlogPost 157562433712 What Is Safe Sport?, BlogPost 157559446197 Sengkang Secondary: Cultivating Well-Rounded Footballers, BlogPost 157368261167 New National Training Centre for Cricket at West Coast Ground, BlogPost 155340164987 Active Ageing with Joey Bonifacio, BlogPost 155930815517 Inaugural Singapore Youth League kicks off from 24th February 2024, BlogPost 155340164727 Bukit Canberra : the Coolest Spot in the North, BlogPost 155368905255 How Padang Fandi Inspired Ayden to Chase his Dream, BlogPost 154755572826 Ageing Backwards with Elizabeth Cheang, BlogPost 154094657315 Running For Fitness, BlogPost 153318636178 Excitement Builds for FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024, BlogPost 153198644247 World's Top Four Confirmed for 2024 HSBC Women's World Championship, BlogPost 149413941770 Cultivating Your Kids’ Interest in the Outdoors, BlogPost 149413941163 Making Sport More Appealing for Our Kids, BlogPost 149412549409 Solo Or Team Sport – Choosing the Best for Your Child, BlogPost 151197478798 Former Lions Stalwart Baihakki Khaizan Sheds Light on New Accreditation to Elevate Grassroots Football and Youth Development, BlogPost 80703591291 New Year, Fitter You! Here are the top 3 workouts for the New Year, BlogPost 81171151456 7 Reasons Why Sports are Great for Children’s Mental Health, BlogPost 80542065330 17 Best Yoga Classes & Studios in Singapore [+ Rating & Prices], BlogPost 149404351798 From Brush to Lens: A Student's Journey in the World of Art and Sports Photography, BlogPost 149402825063 The Benefits of Active Parenting, BlogPost 149397832009 Sweden Claim 9th Straight Gold at the Women's World Floorball Championship, BlogPost 149397831449 Lion City Sailors Win 2023 Singapore Cup, BlogPost 148511324266 Pitch Perfect with Jonathan Teo, BlogPost 148511724402 Seniors: Increase your flexibility bit by bit with these stretches, BlogPost 147866574167 A Valuable Experience In Spain for Singapore's National Development Centre U-14 Boys, BlogPost 146915317264 How one magical Kallang night changed the lives of Abirami and Daania forever, BlogPost 80700409988 Strength Training for Seniors, BlogPost 137536455174 Age Gracefully, Start Strength Training, BlogPost 145856643584 FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers: Singapore vs Korea Republic, BlogPost 144608971564 ActiveSG Football Academy sets up centralised development centres to broaden base for young players, BlogPost 144605361831 Hafiz Osman & sons' love affair with the beautiful game, BlogPost 137536455236 The Golden Years, BlogPost 142676085686 Singapore crowned Mirxes Nations Cup 2023 Champions!]