Power in Positivity, Hope in Creativity, Comfort in Simplicity
Shock change is difficult for every human. Fortunately, quick-learning falls in youth’s favour, and with good guidance children can adapt to crises relatively unscathed. This current pandemic, however, brings complexity and challenges on a scale not-before-seen. The whole world is together learning how to deal with it: elders are passing down knowledge in real-time; science is tight on the virus’ tail whilst societies scramble to block its forward motion; complete communal action is needed to contain it whilst individuals must keep one keen eye toward the varying ocean of information. We must, therefore, be more mindful than ever of our younger citizens as we manoeuvre through the bouts of the storm.
We can shield children from some negative symptoms and brace them for incoming waves but inevitably the rocking is being felt by all. Across society, stressors of social-distancing, mass uncertainty and untempered fear have concocted a confusing sense of sheer isolation and collective malaise. Loss in all forms is widespread; sadly, for some to the ultimate extent. Nothing remains the same—even the alleviating processes of mourning and grief have been hampered. What has not been taken, however, is the ability to smile, even laugh, in spite of it all: powerful gusts of positivity have been bursting through all this sadness, manifesting through humour, love and joy. Harnessing this will keep us afloat.
People are finding ingenious ways to cheer up their inner-, and actual, children whilst indoors. There is no shortage of examples throughout the web, displayed locally in home windows or heard periodically in the streets. Moreover, the slowing of pace is giving individuals a moment of introspection, families quality bonding time, granted services a spotlight, communities opportunities to engage, nations new perspectives on society and eco-systems a respite. Most importantly, children have been diverted away from excess stress, and future generations have gained insight into the strength we have when coming together.
This togetherness, however, has to be at a distance or virtual—a difficult reality to grasp for young and old alike. In this new norm, digital media has been useful for connecting, educating and uplifting, but the medium has its limitations and lacks the texture, taste and tones of full sensory experiences—the plainer pleasures in life. Moreover, the unchecked consumption side of screen- time could dampen creativity—a powerful aspect of our inner-child. Right now, we could all benefit from stimulating that imaginative part of our brains; in a time of feeling helpless, it nurtures hope. For a child, making something, especially physical, not only engages minds but emboldens them. In a world of loss, they can actively build. This tangibility helps establish certainty.
To help home-bound creators with honing their offline skills, I will be sharing a selection of classic crafts in an upcoming post. This ready-made list aims to be on hand for those parents and guardians drawing a blank when being asked to suggest something next—like being put on the spot for a jukebox song! And, like that nostalgic jukebox, I hope it transports you back to an older, simpler time so you and your child can kick back and create in comfort, undistracted for a moment by the outer world.
Lastly, guiding children to up-anchor from the permanent past and navigate the immediate now, such as simply focusing on the creation at hand, can lessen their worry about the future and things beyond their control. Keeping them creatively occupied helps build resilience here, and courage beyond to make change themselves; useful for any uncharted waters their lives lay out before them. Ultimately, there is much to help you and your home crew navigate through, with even the potential to come out stronger.
Stay hopeful; rainbows ahead.