İSTANBUL - Psychologist Ayça Tezerişir, who told that the hidden victims of the epidemic are children that are forced to stay home, took attention to that parents can cope with children's concerns to the extent that they can manage their own concerns and shared some suggestions to parents.
The children are among the most affected gruops by COVID-19 pandemic. United Nations Children's Aid Fund (UNICEF) announced on March 20 that the risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence against children has increased together with the global lockdowns due to pandemic. Therefore, it was emphasized that a child protection policy based on children's rights should be established.
We talked to child and adolescent psychologist Ayça Tezerişir about how children are affected by the epidemic and the responsibilities of parents.
Noting that many children throughout the world are not able to reach clean water, hygiene and basic heath services Tezeşir told: "Also in Turkey there are thousands children who have no accomodation and live in unhealthy conditions and these children are at risk."
"Children have intense anxiety of something bad to happen to their loved ones and parents", said the psychologist noting the anxiety seen also in children, brought by the pandemic crisis. Tezerişir told, "As result of the anxiety, children have sleepihn and eating disorders as well as behaviour problems. Especially the basic needs of the disabled children increased a lot due to being removed from their educational and social life."
Tezerişir said that there are suggestions for the adults to cope with the problems of the children amid the pandemic and noted the following suggestions: "Violence atmosphere at home affects children so negatively. Only when the parents are able to manage the anxiety of their own, they can manage that of their children. It is vey important to create routines at home with children. The sleeping hours should be arranged. Some responsiblities that the children can handle at home may be a good tactic as well. It is not meaningful to push homeworks and studying all the time, especially now that they do not go to school, rather the children must have time to play and have fun. Families should organize a time schedule for sport activities, any physical activities they are able to perform in a small in-door area."
MA/ Naci Kaya