The early 5 years of each child is crucial period- What could be done for children during lockdown?

--Special edition on little children during COVID-19--

The early five years of children are the most crucial and important period in human development according to child psychology and biological experts. Because in this early period all human parts happen to be developed and hence is the period about nurturing and stimulation with relevant supportive environments. And importantly it is a common belief that 90% of a Child’s Brain Develops by Age 5, the human brain — the command centre of the entire body — is not fully developed at birth. A newborn’s brain is about a quarter of the size of the average adult brain. Incredibly, it doubles in size in the first year and keeps growing to about 80 % of adult size by age three and 90 % — nearly full-grown — by age five (Arizona state university).

For healthy brain development, a child should get a healthy and positive environment. A child should engage with the people and the environment. This requires them, to have stimulated at home, Anganwadi and Daycare centres (pre-schools) with different age-appropriate activities and materials.

Currently, there are 679 Million children worldwide under age 5 (It comes to roughly 68 Crore).

Image source: IMGBIN.com

Moreover, this period can’t be ignored and we cannot take a risk of ignoring little children as it has an immense life impacts in future for the child. However, it is unfortunate that millions of children have been ignored and locked at home since all educational institutions have been closed due to the rapid outbreak of COVID19 virus. It is a matter of concern for us to lock our children at home so as to avoid them from infections but what alternative measures to be taken in order to have them developmental activities also matter of concern as well.

Considering the facts as important and need of the hour, the Early Childhood Association of India appealed HRD minister not to ignore the youngest citizens, rather, have them good environment alternatively during COVID19 lockdown.

If children cannot be sent to school, we cannot also let the learning stop. Below are a few aspects which can be initiated for learning to continue.

· Edutainment: This could be one option if Pre-schools can provide to the children where they would have space to engage with relevant activities that would have a positive impact on the child's mental health. Edutainment consists of few games and videos connected to the child's learning.

· Getting connected between teachers and children: The early childhood association recommends that the teachers and children be connected even during this Lockdown. So as to aware parent and the child regarding the infections of the virus with the message not to worry and take appropriate precautions, and also to advocate the holistic development aspects such as sleeping well, eating healthy food, avoiding excessive T.V etc. This could be done through some video chats. These little children cannot engage in video chats, but parents should learn from teachers and educate the children.

· Physical and Socio-emotional activities through getting online with parents: Even without in-person contact, teachers may initiate some activities related to socio-emotional development such as storytelling sessions, singing rhyme, guess the sound, dumb charades etc. And few physical development activities can be done at home through the parents' assistance.

In fact, when it comes to video watching, at least one hour of video watching should not be harmful to the children, but this one hour also can be divided into slots example, each slot of 20 minutes.

Further, the early childhood association recommends pre-schools and daycare centres have three parts of homeschooling connections.

· 1. Teacher-child connection through ‘face-time’ video chats.

· 2. Parent-Child interaction: Give some activities which parent and child mutually can initiate. The activities should be provided with proper guidance from the Preschool.

· 3. Child independent activities: Give some activities which children do not need much help, such as simple physical exercises, home chores etc.

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The researchers and core team at Credence Learning Foundation themselves are Early Childhood professionals, having obtained MA Education from Azim Premji University, India.

The above write up is a reflection from the concern expressed by the Early Childhood Association National Committee president Dr Swati Popat Vats.

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Early Childhood Association website: www.eca-india.org

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