A recent TOI report revealed that Bengal has been consistently spending 25% more time on indoor entertainment in the past four years compared to the rest of India. And in a world witnessing an alarming increase in health issues triggered by sedentary lifestyles, this trend is certainly not a good sign, especially for children. So, we spoke to educators, parents and psychologists to know the reason behind this trend and how it can be reversed.
‘In Bengal, there is too much emphasis on academics and ranks’
In Bengal, it’s quite common for parents to pressurise kids to shine academically. This leaves little room for the kids to spend time outdoors. “Our children have become very mechanical because we always push them to score good marks in exams. Whatever little time they do get, they prefer to spend online either chatting or playing games as it requires minimum physical effort,” says Ekoparna Roy, a teacher in a school at Budge Budge.
Excessive dependence on gadgets
On the other hand, giving quality time to their kids is a usually a struggle for working parents. So, the kids spend more and more time with gadgets. “Both my wife and I have 9 to 5 jobs. School days are fine, but the challenge is to keep our nine-year-old son entertained during vacations. He has no other option than to use gadgets in our absence,” says Sayan Dutta, a techie.
According to Mousumi Kar, a psychologist and mother to an 11-year-old boy, online homework from schools is also adding to the trend. “Most of the holiday homework or learning material is given online by schools now. But we need to understand that there’s no substitute for human interaction and group activity when it comes to learning,” she says.
A loss of touch with nature
According to psychologists, human beings have lost touch with nature. More so in Kolkata, which lacks infrastructure for adults and children to spend time outdoors. “It’s important that parents spend time with children outdoors, sometimes just to play or do nothing,” adds Ishita Das, a teacher in a central Kolkata school.
How to incorporate play time in your child’s everyday schedule
>Start the day early
>Make a timetable where early hours of the day are for schoolwork and activities
>Avoid over-dependence on after-school clubs and workshops
>Avoid having too many tutors for the child
– Inputs by Aparupa Ojha
‘Not all video games are bad’
Recent research suggests that not all online games are harmful. “There are certain online games which encourage problem-solving, creativity and also
social interaction,” says Aparupa Ojha, a clinical psychologist, adding, “Games that keep players invested without exploitative tactics are decent enough to be played by children,” she adds.
Holistic growth should be given priority over academic success. Overall growth happens when there’s human to human interaction
– Dr Sreemoyee Tarafder, consultant clinical psychologist & head, department of psychology, West Bengal State University
The idea of play-based learning has now become learning-based play for children. As a result, their mind is never relaxed. We need to understand that sometimes, doing nothing
is extremely important
– Aparupa Ojha, clinical psychologist
‘In Bengal, there is too much emphasis on academics and ranks’
In Bengal, it’s quite common for parents to pressurise kids to shine academically. This leaves little room for the kids to spend time outdoors. “Our children have become very mechanical because we always push them to score good marks in exams. Whatever little time they do get, they prefer to spend online either chatting or playing games as it requires minimum physical effort,” says Ekoparna Roy, a teacher in a school at Budge Budge.
Excessive dependence on gadgets
On the other hand, giving quality time to their kids is a usually a struggle for working parents. So, the kids spend more and more time with gadgets. “Both my wife and I have 9 to 5 jobs. School days are fine, but the challenge is to keep our nine-year-old son entertained during vacations. He has no other option than to use gadgets in our absence,” says Sayan Dutta, a techie.
According to Mousumi Kar, a psychologist and mother to an 11-year-old boy, online homework from schools is also adding to the trend. “Most of the holiday homework or learning material is given online by schools now. But we need to understand that there’s no substitute for human interaction and group activity when it comes to learning,” she says.
A loss of touch with nature
According to psychologists, human beings have lost touch with nature. More so in Kolkata, which lacks infrastructure for adults and children to spend time outdoors. “It’s important that parents spend time with children outdoors, sometimes just to play or do nothing,” adds Ishita Das, a teacher in a central Kolkata school.
How to incorporate play time in your child’s everyday schedule
>Start the day early
>Make a timetable where early hours of the day are for schoolwork and activities
>Avoid over-dependence on after-school clubs and workshops
>Avoid having too many tutors for the child
– Inputs by Aparupa Ojha
‘Not all video games are bad’
Recent research suggests that not all online games are harmful. “There are certain online games which encourage problem-solving, creativity and also
social interaction,” says Aparupa Ojha, a clinical psychologist, adding, “Games that keep players invested without exploitative tactics are decent enough to be played by children,” she adds.
Holistic growth should be given priority over academic success. Overall growth happens when there’s human to human interaction
– Dr Sreemoyee Tarafder, consultant clinical psychologist & head, department of psychology, West Bengal State University
The idea of play-based learning has now become learning-based play for children. As a result, their mind is never relaxed. We need to understand that sometimes, doing nothing
is extremely important
– Aparupa Ojha, clinical psychologist
Read More
