Containment requires, it is necessary to readjust and above all to maintain one's habits, whether it be work, classes, activities as well as sleep. For children, it is important to keep a good daily routine to respect its biological rhythm. Here are our tips.
Confined for almost a week, the children have lost their landmarks over time. No more school, no more boyfriends and girlfriends to play, no extra-curricular activities, habits are somewhat turned upside down for our kids. Even if school is done at home and the activities are done indoors, it is important to keep the same habits.
So, no question of losing the rhythm, the courses must start and end at a fixed time, also make sure to set up breaks throughout the day. "We must continue to keep a busy schedule combining lessons and activities such as cooking or small physical exercises", recalls Dr. Cahn-Sellem. When it comes to activities, it’s complicated to reproduce the same as with friends, but on the contrary, it is possible to be creative, gardening, listening to podcasts, or blowing up paint.
More serenity for the child
No need to dress quickly, or hurry to get there on time. From now on, children no longer have imperatives, they can take their time to eat a good family breakfast before they start classes in the next room. Your little one will also be in trust, with you and the familiar environment that surrounds it. The only instruction to apply well is to respect the rules because "If parents respect the rules they have set, so will the children. "says Dr. Cahn-Sellem.
If the rules consisted of going to bed at 8 p.m. on weekdays, your child should continue to obey the rules. If extra-curricular activities were limited to just two hours in the afternoon, you should continue to keep this habit.
The golden rule: discussion
The imposed isolation and the upheaval of habits make your children ask themselves a lot of questions. "Since confinement, children sleep a little worse. They say they wake up several times during the night but we don't wake up. The big change is that they wake up very early, between 5h or 6h against 7h or 8h usually. ", says Anne Sophie, mother of two boys aged 11 and 8. Sleep disturbances that often manifest as nightmares. So "If your child has nightmares about the virus, do not hesitate to discuss it with him and especially to reassure him, by telling him to trust the health personnel. Says Dr. Cahn-Sellem.
Indeed, the coronavirus or Covid-19 can be synonymous with stress for toddlers who do not necessarily understand what is going on around them and who often hear nothing but talkers. "We know today that secrecy and lying have devastating effects on children when they realize it. It is therefore essential to tell them about it, adjusting the terms to their age.. ", underlines the French association of ambulatory pediatrics (Afpa).
Children are also reassured that they have both parents at home all day with them. So do not hesitate to chat with them, reassuring them as much as possible about the virus and the current context.
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