Jakarta (ANTARA) - University of Indonesia graduated child psychologist Saskhya Aulia Prima on Thursday shared tips to prevent post-holiday blues, or feelings of sadness or loneliness, in children after the school holidays."Slowly restore their routine because their activities, from waking up to going to bed, during the holidays are different (than) during the school period," Prima said at the "Bye-Bye Post Holiday Blues" discussion here.
According to her, children sometimes experience post-holiday blues, whose symptoms can show up in the form of sadness, irritability, fear, and prolonged anxiety.
This is because there is a sudden transition from the momentum of celebration, relaxation, and fun during the holidays to busy daily routines, she explained.
This condition does not last long, but sometimes, it is difficult for children to control their emotions, she said. Therefore, she asked parents to slowly restore their children's daily routine, such as waking up earlier, giving them resting time, and putting other activities in order.
She also advised parents to talk to their children about fun activities that happen in schools. Parents also need to provide healthy and nutritious food to their children so that they can be healthy, physically and mentally, Prima added.
Lastly, she recommended quality time between parents and children to help prepare their mindsets for facing new life situations.
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"Quality time with children can be done by shopping. Invite children to choose their own school supplies so that they feel excited and confident by having things according to their preferences," she explained.
Shopping for school supplies with children also teaches them about planning for their needs and inculcates a sense of responsibility, she said.
"They learn a lot about preparation. Children learn to control themselves, make decisions, arrange priorities, and about stable mental health," she added.