As we move into the year 2022, one continued challenge for many families is navigating the uncharted territory of supporting children’s learning with a growing number of school closures.
A survey carried out between September and December 2020 in Canada showed that one in five Canadians screened positive for symptoms of depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Young people between 18-24 are most likely to report these symptoms. But what about our children?
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As the first cases of Omricon emerged in Canada at the end of November, restrictions were once again back in force.
Towards the end of the winter break, provincial governments announced that children would switch to distance learning during January. This move was to slow down the spread of Omricon and to ease the strain on the health care system.
Although many of us worry about how safe our children are from COVID when they go to school, we are also deeply concerned about the detrimental impact these restrictions have on their mental health.
It is a dilemma for many parents. We want our children to be at school so they are not scarred mentally, but on the other hand, we worry that they may catch COVID whilst there.
Education or Health?
Shaimaa Ashraf, from Fredericton NB, worries how it will affect her girls’ education.
“Every day they are asking when they will go back to school. They are in a French school and I am not really good at it. So, I am struggling with their activities,” Ashraf told AboutIslam.
“They miss their friends too. They were skating and swimming, which helps them burn lots of energy, but now it is more screen time and they seem more tired and bored. I am not 100% focused on work because I have to take care of their classes. But, at the same time, it is better than them becoming sick with the virus.”
Nouran Ali from Ottawa ONT expressed a similar view to Shaimaa.
“I am confused because kids need to socialize and be at school, but it is tricky because it is not safe. I let them go to school, but I pray that they will be safe,” she said.
Esraa Fadel from Waterloo ONT has mixed feelings about it all.
“I want them to have a normal life as my daughter was so young before COVID started. She doesn’t know a life other than the one with masks and restrictions, which is bad. At least going to school makes it a bit better. They are where they need to be. But as a mom, I am so anxious and afraid that they might catch it at school.”
Eman El-Gammal, from Ottawa ONT, believes that “in-person education has many benefits in terms of socializing, presenting their work and participating in sports. Kids have a lot of energy that needs to be released, and going to school and playing sports helps them to release that energy.
“Staying home for long periods may have an impact on their mental health, therefore it is the responsibility of the parents to engage them in any outdoor activity to help them stay healthy both mentally and physically.”
Challenging Times
It is not just the younger kids who are affected by distance learning. Rawia Mokhtar’s daughter is in grade 12, and she is also feeling the impact.
“Interacting with the teachers and her colleagues in the real world and not behind the screens is something important for her mental health. It keeps her more alert, active, and motivated than when she is learning online,” Mokhtar said.
Only time will tell what impact COVID19 and distance learning will have on our children’s mental health and educational development. However, children are more resilient than adults, and whatever challenges they may face now, they will overcome.
As Muslims, we are taught to be patient and accept Allah’s will. We are living through a very trying time, but a beautiful aya in the Qur’an springs to mind; “So, surely with hardship comes ease” (Quran 94:5).
This wouldn’t last forever, so let us have faith that Allah will ease this test as He does with everything else that comes our way. Let’s ask Him to protect our children and help them come through this without bearing any physical or mental scars so that their future can be bright and full of hope.