When the news broke that school will be back in session next week, I was ecstatic. As a stay-at-home mother, I have been watching my two children – both under 12 – struggle with virtual learning due to the lack of stimulation that normally comes from interacting with teachers and peers.
When I learnt that my children’s age group was excluded, I was rather disappointed.
However, there is at least hope that they would soon return to in-person learning, given that the vaccination programme for the age group is in the works. In the meantime, I am trying my best to introduce new activities to fill up their time.
But children at their age need to build up an awareness of their surroundings. Being cooped up at home for months, save for infrequent trips to supermarkets and restaurants, their development has simply been arrested.
I can see the reason behind the delay; we are not yet out of the woods in the current wave.
Thus, it is good to know that the authorities prioritise our children’s health and well-being in the current fight against COVID-19.
However, a portion of these children are in their formative years. The longer they go without an environment that stimulates their minds, the more stunted their growth will be. Thus, I hope the authorities could look into speeding up the re-opening of physical classes for these children.
Concerned Mum
