Make 2020 Count for Your Family
By Caleb Onyango Otieno, Makini Schools, Counselling Psychologist
There is currently much information and policy advice relating to schooling and the COVID-19 pandemic. We are accessing this on social media and other platforms. There is, understandably, a lot of interest and anxiety regarding schooling in the country post the lock-down and the focus on what the impact will be for 2021.
Parents have to go the extra mile to juggle attending to their children at home as well as manage their busy work schedules. Some children and young people may also be feeling isolated, anxious, bored and uncertain. They may feel fear and grief over the impact their families are experiencing. School closures, working remotely, physical distancing – we understand is a lot for parents and children to navigate. With all these experiences and selected opportunities either cancelled, postponed or moved online, the children can also get overwhelmed.
Parents of pre-schoolers have also raised their concerns on the challenge of keeping their little people engaged while working from home. In a pre-schooler’s little world, play means a lot to them. They always want to go play, not just play but play with their peers oblivious to the risk posed by the Covid-19 virus. They are at that stage where creative content provides a much-needed escape into the fun and magical worlds of imagination. However, how do you tell a little one that the interaction with their friends might result in exposure to the virus?
We are also feeling ‘homesick’, even when the home we are missing is that familiar space of the home that is characterised as the ‘old normal’, but we have to come to terms that the normal we refer to, will never be again, instead we need to prepare for a ‘new normal’ – looking to the future which definitely will be different.
To help parents interact constructively with their children during this time of confinement, we suggest staying positive, creating daily routines, managing stress and talking about corona and the impact it has on our lives. We outline a few of these important aspects:
- It’s very important to maintain routine. Make a schedule for you and your children that has time for structured activities as well as free time. Let your free time link up with the free time of your children, so that you may check in with each other and also experience fun activity together. Also allow your children to be part of planning the routine for the day. This is a very good way to keep the communication flow going.
- Encourage healthy habits such as regular sleep schedule, proper nutrition and regular physical activity. Help your child focus on what they can control, teach coping mechanisms such a breathing exercises and encourage positive thinking. If you are positive your child will be positive and it will assist for a smoother transition to the end of the year.
- Also make time and spend time with your children. Make sure that all activities are keeping everyone occupied and productive during this pandemic. At the end of the day take a minute to do a high and low moment of the day. This will give you an indication of where your child’s head space is at and if you need to intervene.
- Let children continue their learning. Schools like Makini have continued to provide interesting and fun education for the children. Other resources such as radio, educational online content is available. Children can use their hard copy books for revision. Pre-schoolers can engage in guided learning that can build on their numeracy, literacy and motor skills.
- Children needs to be allowed to be children because this situation should not take that away from them and they should be engaged with, heard, and allowed to ask many questions no matter how trivial they may sound. Give your child the opportunity to play and be a child. Family time is important.
- It is important to eat together. Make family meals fun. Cook and try new recipes together. This will not only teach some particle life skills to your children, but create wonderful traditions that will allow for plentiful wonderful memories.
- Take time to read together. Tell stories about the family and discuss the histories of your different cultures. This way children learn about their heritage and keep their minds preoccupied. It also allows for a wonderful bonding moment.
- Allow your children positive but limited leisure time on the internet, radio and TV space. It is just important to be aware of what your children are watching and listening too. Put the necessary security measures in place and be mindful of what your child is consuming on TV, radio and through the internet. We all know with the click of a button they can watch anything from beneficial and important segments that can enrich their lives to content that could be harmful to their well being. Also, know who your children are communicating with over an online space. If you see a change in your child’s behavior it might be a result of either cyber bullying or harmful content, that they are consuming. Be in the know.
- It is also important to check in on each other and seeking counselling when you need to process your fears, anxiety and stress. Do not be ashamed of asking for help, because from time to time we need a support system where we can be heard without being judged and/or even challenged. This service is a phone call away and/or available online.
- An alternative that could support your mental state is journaling. This helps us organise our thoughts and track everything from what happens physically and mentally to us. It can also present areas in which we are progressing and areas that we might need to improve on. It can also create a platform for a ‘to do’ list that can help in some cases make pertinent decisions that are crucial for the family. It is a nice way to put down ideas, designs and songs. Who knows, you might be writing one of those great novels that have been published in the past from a journal. Journaling is a great way to change a negative mindset into a positive.
Meanwhile, let us intentionally continue keeping social distance, wearing masks, washing our hands with soap from time to time or alcohol based hand sanitisers as we stay away from crowded places. We’ve seen many fake news bulletins that included that people who uses alcohol will be cured, while in other news some were saying that it does not affect Africans and some believe that children cannot get it, but across the world facts has shown that many people in Africa have tested positive, children can also test positive. For this reason, we should ensure we rely on verified information as provided by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Stay safe in body and mind.
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Executive function skills are the mental processes that help children plan, focus, remember instructions and manage their behaviour. These skills act as the brain’s “control system,” guiding how children think, learn and interact with others. In primary school, strong executive function supports academic success as well as emotional maturity, independence and positive social behaviour. For parents and educators alike, understanding how these skills develop is critical to supporting child brain development in meaningful, practical ways. What Are Executive Function Skills? Executive function skills are commonly grouped into three core areas: 1. Working memory: This is the ability to hold and use information. For example, remembering multi-step instructions. 2. Cognitive flexibility. This is the ability to adapt, shift thinking and try new approaches. 3. Inhibitory control: This is the ability to pause, resist impulses and regulate behaviour. When a child remembers their homework, switches from maths to reading and waits their turn to speak, they are using executive functioning in kids in everyday situations. These skills develop gradually and are shaped by experience, guidance and environment. This is especially true during early and primary years. Read more on why early development is important. Why Executive Function Skills Matter in Primary School In school settings, executive skills directly affect learning as well as behaviour. · Working memory in children helps them to follow lessons · Self-regulation skills for students assists in managing emotions · Improving attention in school children is essential during tasks · Impulse control in classrooms helps to reduce disruptions Learners with strong executive functioning are better able to complete tasks, organise their work, manage frustration and collaborate with their peers. These skills also support independence and help children take responsibility for routines, deadlines and their personal behaviour. Key Challenges Children Might Face Some common signs of underdeveloped executive skills include: · Forgetting instructions or losing items · Struggling to switch between different tasks · Acting impulsively or interrupting the class · Difficulty managing emotions · Poor time awareness These challenges don’t mean that a child is lazy or incapable. They often reflect developing brain systems that simply need a little guidance and practice. How Parents Can Support Executive Function at Home Parents play a powerful role in shaping executive function. Simple daily strategies can be incorporated into their day to strengthen these skills naturally. Some helpful approaches include: 1. Create Structured Routines Consistent daily routines help children predict what comes next, strengthening organisation as well as emotional regulation. 2. Use Visual Schedules Charts or picture schedules support working memory in children by making expectations visible. 3. Play Memory and Focus Games Try matching card games, Simon Says, puzzles and sequencing games. These support attention, recall and flexible thinking. 4. Encourage Problem-Solving Let children help with cooking steps, packing school bags and planning simple outings. This builds independence and cognitive flexibility in primary education. When there is strong parental engagement, there is a direct impact on executive growth. Discover more on the impact of parental involvement . Classroom Strategies for Teachers Teachers are ideally positioned to reinforce executive skills on a daily basis. Some effective classroom strategies include: 1. Task chunking - Break assignments into smaller steps to reduce cognitive overload. 2. Use of timers and checklists – These are known to improve time awareness and self-regulation skills for students. 3. Positive Reinforcement - Praise effort, strategy and reflection, not just the outcomes. 4. Mindfulness and calm-down techniques - Simple breathing, quiet corners or reflection time can help strengthen emotional control and attention. These strategies are especially valuable in supporting impulse control in classrooms and improving overall learning flow. When to Seek Extra Help If challenges persist despite consistent support, children may benefit from professional assessment. Some signs for parents and educators to watch for include: · Chronic forgetfulness · Extreme impulsivity · Emotional dysregulation · Difficulty following basic routines Educational psychologists or SEN specialists can help identify neurodivergent patterns (such as ADHD) and guide tailored interventions. Early support ensures children build confidence rather than frustration. Encouraging Growth Through Play and Daily Practice Play is one of the most powerful tools for executive development. Activities that build executive function include: · Storytelling and role-play · Group games - Consider turn-taking or rule-based games · Pretend shops or restaurants · Reflection discussions about feelings or decisions These experiences strengthen executive functioning in kids in a natural and pressure-free way. Schools that prioritise early holistic learning , such as in strong preschool systems, give children a strong base for future academic success. Conclusion: Building Brains for Life Executive function skills are not fixed traits. They are trainable abilities that grow through consistent support, practice and patience. From working memory to impulse control, these skills shape how children learn, behave and relate to others. At Makini School we aim to create a supportive environment where our educators can nurture strong thinkers, confident learners and emotionally resilient students, building not just academic success, but lifelong capability. FAQs 1. What are the three main executive function skills in children? Working memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. 2. How can I tell if my child has weak executive functioning? Frequent forgetfulness, impulsivity, emotional difficulty and poor organisation are common signs. 3. What are fun activities to boost executive function in young children? Memory games, storytelling, puzzles, role-play and routine-based tasks. 4. How do executive function skills affect learning in school? They support focus, task completion, emotional control and classroom behaviour. 5. Can executive function skills be improved over time? Yes. With regular practice and supportive environments, executive skills develop steadily throughout childhood.
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