BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – Commemoration of National Children Day (Hari Anak Nasional, HANI) is quite different from previous years before Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, children are asked to stay at home and through the online system which certainly changed many things.
Both children and parents are not quite skillful by online learning method. In fact, there are a lot of parents who feel burdened to accompany their children to study, while they also have many works to do at home.
Dean of Unpas Faculty of Teaching and Education Dr. H. Uus Toharudin, M.Pd responded that this current condition indeed is challenging for both children, parents and academic staffs.
However, education and learning process need to be always paid attention to, since they are basically the rights for children. Moreover, Law No. 22 of 2022 stipulated that every child has the right to receive education and learning process in the context of personal development and intelligence level according to their interests and talents.
“Children are qurrata a’yun, blessings, grace, mercy, and happiness given by Allah SWT. So, their rights must be fulfilled, because they will become the next generation later,” he explained on Friday, 23 July 2021.
He continued that children should not only be treated like they are fun to watch, but their education must be the priority. It is important for parents to pay attention to the development of their children according to their age.
“Children are future investment. They grow up and their development needs to be paid attention to. It is better for parents to guide their children based on their age: for example – in certain age, what parents have to do/ convey to the children, and what output needs to be received by children,” he continued.
When studying during pandemic, children should remain as happy and cheerful as possible, in the right path. As part of children’s rights, other than parents’ support and guidance, the school must also care and provide fun learning, either in online condition, blending learning, or in face-to-face learning.
“It is actually possible to make teaching and learning process fun during online schooling. There are countless special programs on YouTube and other websites that can be used as reference for teachers to make online learning more interesting for children,” he said.
In order not to lead to psychological pressure for children, it is also better for teachers to create learning atmosphere which is not stressful. Also, teachers can also streamline the communication with parents, so that children will not feel too forced. That way, parents know the level of knowledge that children must understand.
“It is very possible for teachers to create learning process fun. They have to only adjust or choose their learning method themselves. For example, to set learning material for fun reading through online media, there should be many theories of them,” he said.
Coinciding with the commemoration of 2021 HANI, the Dean also invited children throughout Indonesia to behave like children in general: always be happy, cheerful and obedient to the rules of the family.
“Family must probably want their children to become what they expected to be. I am sure, there are no parents who want their children grow up poorly. Therefore, be the cheerful children, follow your parents’ words, obey the rules at home, and study well,” he ended. (Reta)*
