Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2013 Child supervision has come under scrutiny\nfollowing an accident that killed a child in East Kalimantan and the\ncirculation of a video showing a child crying after being left by their\nparents in a tent in the Mount Prau area of Central Java.<\/p>\n
Clinical child and adolescent psychologist Vera Itabiliana\nHadiwidjojo told ANTARA on Monday that parents should consider a child\u2019s\nage, maturity and ability to deal with emergencies, as well as the\nsafety of the surroundings, before leaving them alone without\nsupervision.<\/p>\n
The psychologist from the University of Indonesia\u2019s Psychology\nInstitute said babies, toddlers and pre-school children are not ready to\nbe left alone without adult supervision. Even when they are asleep, they\nshould not be left unattended.<\/p>\n
\u201cA child who can speak or play alone is not necessarily able to\nrecognise danger and seek help,\u201d Vera said.<\/p>\n
Vera said parents could consider leaving a child home alone once they\nare at least 12 or entering adolescence.<\/p>\n
Even so, she said, parents should ensure that the child feels safe\nand comfortable at home alone, can follow the rules in place, and knows\nhow to contact their parents and what to do in an emergency.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso consider the duration, any special needs and the safety of the\nsurroundings. Start gradually, and for short periods,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The director of the Daya Insani Psychology Institute said children\nwho can understand situations, keep themselves safe and solve simple\nproblems may begin to be given opportunities to learn independence if\ntheir surroundings are considered safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a child is not yet mature, is still confused in their thinking\nand could be at risk if left alone, then they should not be left alone\nunless an adult is supervising them,\u201d Sani told ANTARA.<\/p>\n
Even if a child is considered capable of understanding situations and\nkeeping themselves safe, parents are advised not to leave them alone if\nthe surroundings are considered risky.<\/p>\n
Vera warned that being ready to stay alone at home in a familiar\nneighbourhood does not automatically mean a child is ready to do so\nelsewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing ready to stay alone at home in familiar surroundings does not\nautomatically apply to a hotel, a mountainous area or another unfamiliar\nsetting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Parents are advised to tailor supervision and support to their\nchild\u2019s ability to understand situations and keep themselves safe, as\nwell as to the level of risk in the surrounding environment.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/what-to-consider-before-leaving-a-child-alone-1792414285", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }