By Yin Nwe Ko

THE COVID 19 disaster affected not only adults but also young people. Children are losing their freedom. When patients arrived at the hospital which is adjacent to my compound, the children in the staff quarters were no longer allowed to play around the hospital grounds as before. They have a four-year-old child in their hospital family. She complained to her mother that she wanted to go downstairs from the fourth floor of their family home. The baby’s father also wore a nose bandage. The child was seen coming down from the fourth floor with her nose bandaged.

Children need to be able to play and develop freely for intellectual development. So that they will get enough mental development. In this age of fear, children with the fear of humans are becoming more and more prevalent. A child who used to be afraid of people can be taken to a place where he can go to his parents to avoid being afraid of people.

I sympathize with the lives of children who are hesitant because of the long battle with COVID 19. For children in rural areas, the play area is larger than in urban areas. For urban children, the only place to play was the family living room. This is also a time in which most mothers are struggling with their minds. Will they have to teach their children to study? They are sceptical about whether they can get it or not. As mothers of toddlers, will their children be able to walk? They worry about whether their relationship with society will work out.

Parents should play with their children as they are not allowed to play in large areas at the age of play. Even if you did not play with your children in the past, you should try to spend time with them now. You can easily find games that you can play at home on the Internet.

For children, play is an educational issue. Child psychologists consider it as important as teaching. There are many benefits to playing with children. There are definitely two great benefits to playing physical fitness and intellectual development. The health of children who are allowed to play freely and that of children who are not allowed to play are never identical. Wisdom and agility can also never be the same.

Most children of today know that play is just a game. Most parents restrict their children from playing video games, playing mobile games, and playing games with their children to keep them quiet. Most kids these days are playing games. Most of them also spend time watching TV.

Children need to be allowed to play freely outside the home. For example, playing hide-andseek at home. If the yard is large, the children in the family should be allowed to run and play. Only by exercising and playing can one’s body be healthy and one’s mind clear and happy. Children become more mind-boggling through play, increase their brain function, and memorize text easily while teaching. A well-known paediatrician writes about the seven benefits of playing with children.

These are:

(1) The child develops confidence by seeing what he can do. For example, if a child knows how to kick a ball, he or she will gain confidence that he/she can make the ball roll.

(2) It enhances imagination. For example, does a child build its own blocks using toys? Thinking about building a train is sure to give them some creative ideas.

(3) It conveys the idea that every human being has a responsibility. For example, children learn to be a doctor while playing. As a teacher, one will understand the responsibility of teaching.

(4) A child will also learn very important social skills. For example, when playing with a team, he or she has to wait for his or her turn to play. One will learn about compliance, unity, and how to be fair.

(5) The new and unknown things can be learned. One will learn many new things. For example, one can learn colours by playing with paint. While playing with blocks, one can discover unfamiliar shapes.

(6) Improved concentration. Games like Jigsaw Puzzle, for example, can improve concentration and memory.

(7) No matter what kind of play is, it will surely make the children happy and free. For example, happiness is the best medicine. So, children can be healthy and independent while playing.

That is why we should teach our children various games to keep them healthy. The main purpose of children’s play is to enjoy We adults should not forget that purpose. Adults should also know that learning comes with happiness.

Children learn about themselves by playing a variety of games. They will learn the basics of the world around them and others. Play can also have the benefit of shaping their brain. The future of children in the hands of adults who have forgotten their childhood cannot be bright.

Children will develop good habits of discipline and understanding of the law through play. By making the most of their free time, Perseverance, Patience, and Pure righteousness, they will be able to develop good habits such as improving critical thinking. By spending time with the children of the future, parents and children’s love can grow between them.

Let the children play. Even if you have to stay indoors during this time of year, play with your child in a fun way that you can play at home. Playing is learning.