A parent approached saying that the child is losing interest in studies due to some prolonged medication. Another parent shared concern that it's difficult to teach the child as it gets tired after playing and doesn't sit to study. Making a child sit to study is always a herculean task but at the same time it's important to understand that for a child “play” is everything. So how do we strike a balance between both?
Kajal U.Dave, Psychologist and Play Therapist and Career Counselor at Prafulta Psychological Wellness centre, Borivali Mumbai shares some quick facts about engaging a child in doing tasks but in a playful way.
A child feels powerful, de-stressed, and learns creativity through Play.
Tips for education and learning
- If a child is not fond of reading chapters, make him enact through the medium of a story, or portray the characters of a story.
- If a child finds it difficult to learn meanings, describe qualities of that concept, and make it as guess who game. If your child is interested in drawing, you can use a picture dictionary as a medium too.
For a child to learn holistically, developing an interest in subject matters is very important. When the child doesn't have an interest, it is possible that the child also has some difficult emotions attached to subject e.g. fear of math, not willing to write and all this adds more to emotions because the child feels pressurized, lose interest and anxiety of how to deal with the same. e.g. if a child feels overwhelmed by the use of the English language, uses drama or drawing characters and using story or dialogue to make it creative, interesting, and reducing anxiety.
How to manage gadgets over learning
If you find gadgets are taking over learning then make use of gadgets as an advantage for learning. If a child likes a computer but just keeps playing computer games, makes use of software for the whiteboard, encourages typing, quiz or Mentimeter, online charades with friends with study buddy all this can help to create interest and engage in constructive learning. If a child is interested in singing, you can use karaoke apps for him and with boundaries, you can use it as a reward once the child finishes other studies or desired tasks.
Handling different emotions
Usually, children experience difficult emotions when there is a change in schedule, some kind of uncertainty, restrictions on physical activities. In such situations it's good to prepare the child in advance on what can happen, allow in making choices with age appropriateness. Apart from this to express emotions, play toys are very helpful. For younger children toys like puppets, dolls, and action figures are helpful. For older children use of metaphors, emojis, social scenarios that helps in decision making all these games help.
For further queries, Contact Kajal U. Dave at davekajal26@gmail.com.
