Recent statistics available from the TOI indicate that Bangladesh has been spending an additional 25% more time on indoor entertainment than the rest of India for four straight years. Sedentary lifestyle, which is rising alarmingly due to health problems in todays world, does not augur well for this trend particularly because it concerns children. So we had a discussion with educators, parents and psychologists to understand what’s behind it and how to turn it around.
They give academics and rankings too much importance in Bangladesh.”
Parents in Bangladesh usually force their children to perform excellently academically thereby leaving them with little time to play outside. This is why our kids are completely mechanical; we keep forcing them to score high marks during exams. Budge Budge’s Ekoparna Roy noted that “Our children have become very mechanical because we always push them to do well in exams. They will prefer chatting or playing games online even though they have lots of time as it needs less physical effort,” said a teacher at one school.
Over-reliance on electronic products
On the other hand, working parents often face challenges of providing quality time for their children. This has resulted into increased addiction of kids on gadgets. My wife and I both have 9-to-5 jobs. While school days are fine, the problem lies in entertaining our nine-year-old son when he is at home during holidays; he has no other option but use electronic arts while we are away equipment.
Mousmi Kar, psychologist and mother of an 11-year-old boy also points out that many schools also provide online homework assignments which adds up to this trend.“Most holiday homework or learning material is now provided through the internet by schools. However, we should know that there is nothing like human interaction or group activities when it comes to learning,” she added.
Losing contact with nature
The psychologists also think that people have lost touch with nature.This holds true especially in Kolkata where there is hardly any infrastructure for outdoor activities either for adults or children. “Parents must also spend time outdoors with their children, at times just doing anything or playing,” said Ishita Das, a teacher at Kolkata Central School.
How to incorporate playtime into your child’s daily schedule
- Wake up early
- Make a routine to complete homework and other activities in the morning
- Avoid relying excessively on extracurricular clubs and seminars
- Do not overburden your children with too much tutoring
– With Aparupa Ojha’s inputs.
“All video games are not bad”
Recent research shows that all internet games are not harmful. There are some online games which encourage problem solving and creativity.
These are good enough for children because they socialize it does not involve exploiting the players. – Aparupa Ojha, Clinical psychologist.”
Over academic success, holistic development should take precedence over academic success. Growth that is holistic happens when people interact with each other.
Dr. Sreemoyee Tarafder, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Head, Department of Psychology, West Bengal State University
This has turned the concept of play-based learning into play-based learning for children. Thus their hearts never relax. There are times where we just have to sit back and do nothing.
– Aparupa Ojha, clinical psychologist
