The Ministry of Community Development has identified a home intervention plan consisting of 10 strategies, which parents must implement to address the deteriorating psychological state of children of anxiety, as a result of exposure to anxiety and stress during and after crises, stressing that the plan brings positive results when applied to children in general, given the similarity of reactions when All children after experiencing certain fears or pressures.
The director of the Ministry of Welfare and Rehabilitation of People of Determination in the Ministry, Wafa Hamad bin Sulaiman, told «Emirates Today» that the first strategies are necessary for parents to listen to the child as much as possible, with the most calmness and control of reactions, stressing that the dialogue that takes place between family members may be A reason to raise or decrease anxiety and stress in the child.
She pointed to the need for parents to be honest and accurate in conveying information, as it is one of the most important strategies that reduce child stress, because the absence of information makes children visualize the worst scenarios, or they may create distorted information, so the feelings of the child should not be ignored, and try to outline the crisis without exaggeration or intimidation .
Bin Sulaiman clarified that the third strategy relates to the presence of fathers and mothers alongside their children when they need them, because the child is one of those with determination, and he needs to hear specifically from them all that dispels his fear and anxiety, and to realize that there is someone beside him who listens to him and protects him, pointing to the need for parents to say From time to time they love them, and show them many emotions and feelings of containment.
She pointed out that the fourth strategy is to avoid parents blaming others or the circumstances in front of the child, as it is important to avoid issuing stereotypical judgments towards a specific group of people as the cause of the current crisis, so the educator or the accompanying care provider for the child may be from that category that the parents issue their rulings towards And thus it affects the child.
Watching the child watching television and communication sites is the fifth strategy for treating the child from stress, according to Bin Sulaiman, who stressed the need to spare the child to watch any news or pictures that might cause frustration, fear or anxiety, and the necessity of explaining to him that there is a lot of information on the Internet and communication sites that It may be incorrect, and the issue of the crisis should not be the constant talk of the hour in front of the child, who may distract him from playing and his regular activities.
Bin Sulaiman pointed out that the sixth strategy is to use the appropriate tools to present information in a way that is appropriate for the child’s disability or the child’s situation in general, where information must be provided in a simplified way, and at the child’s mental and linguistic level, and by using sign language, pictures, social stories, audio description, clips the video.
The seventh strategy in the intervention plan focuses on the need to encourage the child to express his feelings, especially those who do not have appropriate linguistic abilities, and to encourage them to express drawing, acting, play, and singing.
Bin Sulaiman said that communicating with the child in every way is the eighth strategy with the aim of relieving stress and anxiety, by embracing, doing what he feels safe, and showing love naturally without neglecting or overeating, as well as the child's participation in movement and other activities, and notifying him of acceptance.
The ninth strategy focuses on the home intervention plan, occupying the child's time in what is fruitful, pursuing the child's education, without putting pressure on him, engaging him in the daily activities of the family, and providing him with an opportunity to participate in simple household chores.
Bin Suleiman summarized the tenth strategy in the necessity of explaining methods of prevention and adapting to the crisis, according to its type and circumstances, such as how to maintain public health and safety, staying at home, and physical distance, as well as explaining what is required of the child during the current crisis, helping him to live naturally, and ensuring learning , And training him to act properly, by explaining all the information, and applying all the correct practices required.
Teaching methods of children
The Ministry of Community Development issued, during the past weeks, a number of evidence and labor standards based on reports and scientific studies carried out by educational and psychological specialists in the ministry, to determine ways and methods of educating children, and dealing with them during staying at home due to emergencies and crises.
Dialogue between family members may increase or decrease anxiety and stress in children.