I have had conversations with many child psychologists who suggest that the current generation of kids are more fidgety than the kids of the 80's (which basically means when we were kids). Back then in a classroom only 1 kid in 30 kids was distracted and would not focus in class but that number has increased now in-fact 8 in 30 kids face problems of focusing, following instructions given by the teacher and are unable to sit still in class. Kids bang into each other without realizing, fall of their chairs while sitting, fidget a lot. So what has really changed since then than has caused this unfortunate shift?
The first biggest reason that was pointed out by all the psychologists was that kids aren't allowed to move enough for them to develop their spatial awareness. Now what is spatial awareness? The ability of the child to be aware of his or her position in space. It is an organised knowledge of objects in relation to oneself in that given space .It also involves understanding the relationship of these objects when there is a change of position. Spatial awareness further helps in developing a child's cognitive abilities.
Kids these days spend more time indoors in-front of their screens, sitting ideal or because of academic pressure have to spend more time at a very young age sitting in a classroom rather than playing outdoors. Countries like Finland where teachers and academicians identify this new problem of kids with underdeveloped spatial awareness are letting kids play for atleast three hours a days. The recess period has been increased. Younger kids are allowed to sit anywhere they like and not be conformed to sitting in a classroom. My sister who is a teacher in Sydney , tells me that kids under age the of 6 and below are exposed to play which is only unstructured and if a kids wants to continue playing even though the next period maybe of art or any other, the child is allowed to do so. I would initially scorn at the thought that wouldn't kids become indisciplined if allowed to do whatever they want whenever they want.
Studies also suggest lack of unstructured play causes under developed spatial awareness because the vestibular fluid between the ears of the child doesn't get any movement. Kids should be allowed to climb trees , dangle their heads off the bed, spin round and round in circles but we as parents often stop them because of the fear that they would get hurt. I feel kids should be allowed to be themselves under parental supervision so that they are allowed to develop their spatial awareness. Development of spatial awareness makes them better listeners and in turn better speakers and they use all their 5 senses to their optimal level.
Here are some tips to help your child develop spatial awareness:
a) Ensure that children till the age of 4 get at least 90 minutes of unstructured play daily.
b) Reduce screen time to the minimal.
c) Use lego and blocks to increase focus and concentration.
d) Make them climb trees, run around in the park, do cartwheels, spin around in circles, play hide and seek, play on the swing and see-saw.
e) Make them do an obstacle course so that the children's ability to move under , around , over objects improves.
f) Play verbal instruction games where you tell your child that he or she is a robot and tell them to move left or right , move to the right of an object or to the left of an object.
I would like to quote Heather Shumaker here -" Why do kids go up the slide? They are seeking risk and challenge in their play, kids feel powerful scaling the slide. Going up the slide is fun. It's a healthy adventure often apart of imaginative play. Climbing up the slide , helps kids test their strength, find their limits and gain balance, spatial awareness , social awareness and consideration."
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