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Students of today have gone through major adjustments when educational institutions announced that they will adapt to a distance learning set-up amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

One can only imagine how being confined to their homes and having their routines disrupted have affected the emotional and mental state of young children.

While some kids succumbed to their feelings and resorted to crying, some had very unique and somewhat funny ways of coping with stress due to distance learning.

Nazy Ren Belmonte meditating / Source: On Record

Take for example 5-year-old Nazy Ren Belmonte, a prep student from Cauayan, Negros Occidental, who was caught on video by her mom Jonah Belmonte meditating before answering his module.

In the video taken last October 12, 2020, Nazy Ren can be seen sitting on the floor in Padmasana or lotus position.

He was in a crossed-legged sitting position with his eyes closed and was completely quiet and still.

When asked by 'On Record' host Oscar Oida why he decided to meditate, Nazy Ren replied, “Because I want to relax myself.”

What Nazy Ren said might sound funny at first, but Dr. Kenneth Javate, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, confirms that children also experience stress from distance learning.”

Dr. Javate said, “'Yung tinatawag natin na acute stress, 'pag tumatagal 'yon, nagiging chronic stress.

“Nauubos 'yung enerhiya ng estudyante. Kaya naman tama na 'yung dapat nilang enerhiya na pinapasok sa pag-aaral, sa pag-focus sa lessons nila, nagagamit sa pag-handle ng sitwasyon.

“Kaya ang hirap nang maging motivated after a long time.”

Cameron De Gracia doing a one hand-push-up / Source: On Record

In the same 'On Record' episode, a young girl from Tantangan, South Cotabato named Cameron De Gracia was also featured. She had her own unique way of motivating herself to answer her module.

In a video taken last December 7, 2020, Cameron can be seen doing a one hand-push-up on the floor.

And when asked by her mom, Mary Chance De Gracia, where she saw the exercise she was doing, Cameron said, “Sa TV.”

This brought delight to her mom because Cameron used to be a sickly girl. She was born with a hole in her heart and went through surgery in 2019.

And just like Cameron, an 8-year-old girl from Brgy. Pamplona, Las Piñas City named Dominique Tolentino, also turned to exercise in coping with the stress brought about by the new study-from-home set-up.

Dominique Tolentino doing push-ups / Source: On Record

Dominique used to be active in school activities before the pandemic struck.

So, in order to keep her motivated for distance learning, her mom Tin Tolentino, devised a daily routine for her which includes exercising in the morning.

The mom of the Grade 3 student said her child is responsible when it comes to her academics, but sometimes there are hurdles that make the new normal in learning difficult for young children.

Tin said, “Responsible naman kasi sila pero may mga tanong kasi siya minsan na mahirap din. Mahirap sagutin.

She also added, “Ang labo ng mga print nila. 'Yung picture hindi mo talaga mabasa.”

But despite the challenges, Dominique wants to encourage her fellow students.

She said, “Huwag po sila umiyak at saka gawin na lang po nila nang gawin 'yung module para hindi na po sila mapagod, iyak nang iyak, para matapos na lang po 'yung gagawin nila.”

According to Dr. Javate, there are many ways in which children can cope with the stress caused by the distance learning set-up.

“Maraming ibang coping mechanism na puwedeng magawa ng mga bata like exercise, for example. Napakahalaga nun noh. Getting time outside, getting fresh air, kung meron.”

If you want to watch the adorable ways these kids coped with stress, you can do so in the 'On Record' video below.

For more uplifting stories like this, watch 'On Record' every Tuesday, 11:30 p.m. on GMA-7's Power Block.

Viewers abroad can also watch 'On Record' via GMA's flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

And for more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

You might also want to read about how the businesses of Benjamin Alves and Team JoLai thrived amid the pandemic.