Educationists task parents on learning while COVID-19 pandemic lasts

As children remain at home, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools and parents are naturally thinking of a way to keep the children productively engaged, so that when they are called back to school, they won’t be totally ‘empty.’

But in the meantime, some educationists are saying parents/guardians should seize the opportunity to bond with their children/wards and help with their past school work, aside from keeping them busy with educational stimulation games.

Speaking to The Guardian on the effect of a long stay at home on children, the proprietress of Sejin Nursery and Primary School, Oshodi, Celina Unegbu, urged parents to ensure their children do not waste the period, by only playing and being idle.

She noted that doing this will set them backwards, especially those that will be writing their final exams.

Unegbu explained that parents could link with the state government educational programmes on radio and TV stations, as such would help to keep them busy.

Thomas Akinlehin of Edu Consult, Ikeja, said parents living in the same compound or in the same neighbourhood could come together to organise home lessons for their children, although it is important they know the health status of the teacher(s) they engage. They should also ensure that social distancing and other guidelines specified by health authorities are observed by the teacher(s) and children.

Akinlehin disclosed that staying away for long from school and educational activities might make some children lose interest in schooling. So, children should be kept busy, using different teaching/learning techniques.

He revealed that some parents cannot teach their children and that some children do not allow their older siblings to teach them. In such cases, competent outsiders should be engaged to handle the situation.

He said: “Parents can keep the children busy by making them repeat some of their old school works or give assignments that they can successfully do at home without leaving their homes. The essence of the whole arrangement is to keep them usefully engaged and in touch with their school works.”