Storytelling, indoor games, books, toys and online art and craft competitions are helping parents keep children engaged during the lockdown in rural and semi-urban areas in Assam.

With schools and playgrounds shut, parents are having to find different ways to smoothen the at-home life of children.

“Storytelling by grandmother, toys , online art and craft competition are helping children remain engaged at home. Thanks to modern technology and our rich storytelling culture, the children are happy, healthy and creative at home,” said Dipshikha Barua, a teacher and mother to two-and-a-half-year-old Jia and Aayush, 5. They are residents of Phillobari in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district.

Jia spends time in a crèche when her parents go to work, while Aayush is a class I student in Don Bosco School.

“When both kids are at home, their grandmother narrates interesting folktales and they are engaged in creative activities, so that they don’t become restless,” said Dipshikha.

“We can keep children busy and productive during this period. Parents can do several activities along with their kids that aid in active and engaged learning. This is the best time for parents to rediscover their children. I am not saying they are not doing it otherwise but sometimes we miss doing certain things in the hustle and bustle of life. Since many parents are working from home now, they get more time to spend with children. So, just be with them and listen to them. Kids can surprise you in ways that you can’t even imagine. I keep telling parents to allow children to be bored. When children are bored, they rediscover themselves and in the process, they get creative,” said Rimpy Nath, a storyteller here.

Nath also suggests inculcating the reading habit in children. “Children are always wired for stories. The parents can read books with their kids. Reading interactively with children will help in building language skills. There are a lot of books available online. Parents can select books depending on the age of the child. The traditional Assamese indoor games can also be taught,” she said.

On the other hand, a few parents are considering it an opportunity for children to spend quality time with their grandparents.

“When my kids are attending school, they don’t get enough time to spend with grandparents. Now my children are spending more time with my parents. I have limited their screen time and instead, engaged them in fun indoor activities like colouring books, building a fort of pillows and blankets, setting up a kitchen area with toy fruits and veggies, song and dance and literary and numeric concepts,” said Sushobhit Ghosh, who is working from his home at Kakopathar village.

“Moreover, information and communication technology is a super important part of a child’s early learning from the time they are in pre-school,” he added.

On the other hand, Tinsukia deputy superintendent of police Bitul Chetia distributed books to children in rural areas near Makum. “During lockdown, they will grow a habit of reading storybooks.”

The children were also given instructions on social distancing, sanitisation and on use of masks and gloves.