Asst. Prof. Dr. Hasan Eşici of the Faculty of Education at Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) made important statements on what should be done during the mid-semester break, given after the first face-to-face education period following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“THE PANDEMIC HAS SERIOUSLY THREATENED SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR”
Asst. Prof. Dr. Hasan Eşici: “For more than two years, the whole world and humanity have been trying to cope with the COVID-19 global pandemic and its physiological and psychological effects. Losses, illnesses, economic hardships, plans that could not be carried out or had to be changed, and so much more… The pandemic, which has left serious effects on all our lives and has taken lives from some of us during these two years, has seriously threatened school-age children and young people in particular. Students had to sacrifice first and foremost their school and education processes. Students who were physically kept away from educational institutions experienced serious learning losses, even though distance education options were offered. The schools, which opened in September and have not closed again since, have performed an important function for the whole of society, especially for students, teachers and families,” he said.
HOW SHOULD FAMILIES SPEND THE BREAK?
Saying that some recommendations should also be made to families for the mid-semester break, Eşici made the following statements: “At the end of an education process that we completed with great difficulty because of COVID-19, just as we were getting into the full holiday mood, the snowfall that seriously affected our country had a negative impact on our children and their families who were making plans for this period. In this case, instead of spending the mid-semester break in sadness, unhappy with feelings of regret, guilt and anger because we could not carry out our plans, it is important to revise/be able to revise the break plans as far as circumstances allow and to show flexibility. Taking health precautions, spending plenty of time in the snow, especially for children living in towns and cities where it is snowing for the first time, and activities such as building a snowman with family members or having a snowball fight will perhaps hold a serious place in their childhood memories and will bring smiles when memory books are opened in the future.”
WHAT SHOULD FAMILIES DO ABOUT TECHNOLOGY?
Eşici: “The rapid changes and developments in the world, technology and the internet dominating our lives more, and even shopping being brought to our doorstep by couriers provide significant comfort. However, as human beings, we are also showing signals of rapidly drifting away from life, from the realities of life and from society. For this reason, one of the important duties of parents is to succeed in keeping children engaged with life despite all of these processes. The first thing to be done for this is to give importance to visiting family members and relatives while taking COVID-19 precautions. Secondly, it is necessary to keep a distance from technology, the internet and screens in a way that covers all family members, and to set the necessary limits according to individuals’ ages,” he said.
“LET US SPEND TIME TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAMILY BONDS”
Explaining what needs to be done in order to keep a distance from technology, Eşici said: “Visiting tradespeople and craftspeople, who are an important part of society, and trying to get to know the materials and staff in those shops, even if nothing is bought, will create opportunities for children’s latent learning while they spend time there. On certain days for set periods, if possible in the evening after eating together, spending even an hour playing traditional games suited to the children’s age, including jokes, riddles and similar activities, drawing pictures, or making room for other interactive activities, and reading and talking about books together will strengthen family tradition and therefore contribute to the children’s development. While we see the mid-semester break as an opportunity for our children to rest, let us spend time together to strengthen our family bonds. Let us believe that the happiness our children gain today in a strong, safe and supportive family environment will guide them in their future lives,” he said.
