How to do it? The first thing parents need is patience.

Not going to school, not playing with friends, as before, and being at home all day means that children do not release all their energy. If all this does not affect them there would be no problem, but the fact is different. Therefore, if you observe some signs such as hyperactivity, anxiety, excessive tantrums, or despair, do not yell at your child or say things like “Don’t exaggerate!”, “Stop it!”, “Please stand still!”. Do the opposite: find a way to channel positively all that contained energy.

How will you get it? Antonella Galli, Psychologist at our clinic, gives some tips:

• Go to the park. It can be for a walk or stay for a few minutes. Since your child won’t be able to play with his/her friends, you have to be willing to play with him/her. You may be tired, but make an effort as it is for the well-being of your little one.
• Dance for a while. This activity harmonizes your child’s movements and helps to improve his/her behavior on a social level. Ask what song he/she likes and have a good time together.
• Play as a family.You can choose from traditional games such as hide and seek, tag game or freeze game. Also, monopoly, jenga, checkers, etc. Everything is valid.
• Do household chores. You can play music while cleaning the house, making the beds, or clearing the table. The activities should be according to the age of your child.

Finally, our specialist recommends avoiding punishing children, reprimanding them, and labeling them (“my child is a terror”), since with this we are criticizing and affecting their self-esteem.

Dr. Antonella Galli
Psychologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma

Source: Trome Newspaper