Ryan Cayabyab on developing kids' creativity amid pandemic: 'Parental support is crucial'

Much has been said about the effects of the months-long quarantine on the mental health of adults.

Lost in the mix are the children, who themselves are facing their own psychological issues ranging from sadness, anxiety, fear, and isolation.

“Children have emotionally pent up feelings of distress which may turn inwards into emotional fear or outwards towards acting out behavior,” said a report published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website.

“They might feel separated or alone as they have limited knowledge and level of maturity to understand the implications of the current pandemic situation in their limited world.”

For National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, the pandemic and resulting lockdown still offer an opportunity for youngsters to learn and develop their creativity.

But this is where parents play a crucial role.

“What we found to be a positive result of the quarantine during this pandemic is that parents and children had more time together physically,” Ryan, who is endearingly called Mr. C, told GMA Lifestyle.

“However, I would still encourage parents to organize a schedule, or some kind of learning regimen that their children will have to adhere to, like a regular time for school, for play, for specific bonding while doing something creative or practicing on their instruments or doing art, or dance or performance.”

And while Mr. C acknowledged the lack of social interaction nowadays, he was quick to stress how modern technology has become a source of endless information to learn new things.

He encourages parents to take advantage of this in honing their children's creativity.

Engaging in creative pursuits, after all, can help children emotionally and mentally, and is a great way for them to combat boredom.

“There are many online classes available for parents and children to participate in, and there is no better time to do this than now,” he said.

“Many of the online masterclasses prepared for children actually encourage parents to join in the creative exercises - to either act as a guide to their kids or work in tandem with them.

“Most mentors give additional instructions to parents so they can guide their children accordingly.

“In music instructions for kids, parents are advised to follow through with exercises and practice sessions.

In the process, the parents who never took music lessons before eventually learn.”

Incidentally, Mr. C is part of the distinguished mentors who will be teaching kids in a series of online classes for Promil Four's i-Shine Talent Camp starting on February 21.

Joining Ryan are celebrity choreographer Georcelle Dapat-Sy (dance); theatre actor Audie Gemora (performance); crafts master Robert Alejandro, arts director Kara Escay (arts), Dimples Romana (vlogging), Ben&Ben (music), and Magic Liwanag (smartphone photography).

The classes are accessible via the milk brand's Facebook page and The Gifted Channel on YouTube.

Mr. C encourages parents to be extra patient with their kids in these unusual times.

“Parents who are eager to learn new ideas pass on this eagerness to their children. If parents find out early that their kids have a gift or an inclination to music and the arts, they must reinforce this by exposing them to different art or music forms,” he advised.

“Now is the best time to do this because parents spend more time with their children.

“This would not have been as encouraging during pre-COVID, and this free time bonding activity for both parents and children will definitely result in making kids more creative with the online learning exercises given to them.”