The COVID pandemic affected us in many ways beyond the disease itself. Aside from its impact on the economy and our society in general, its most enduring impact might be how it has affected our children.
Humans are creatures of habit and routine. Having a consistent daily schedule provides a sense of comfort and stability, and for children having that is especially important for their growth and development.
How COVID Isolation Disrupted Our Childrens' Social Routine
For children, school is their outside world. It’s where they learn both academic knowledge and how to function in a group setting. School is where they have the vast majority of their social interactions.
The isolation caused by COVID completely disrupted that world. When schools canceled classes and switched to remote learning, the daily structure and schedule of school for children went completely by the wayside. The uncertainty of both what would happen each day combined with not knowing how long the isolation would last led children to start feeling ambiguity and fear of the future.
COVID Isolation Impact On Social Development For Children
Kids need in person interaction to fully develop their social skills, learn to resolve conflicts, and build self-esteem. This need is especially crucial to kids between the ages of five and nine. The disruption to in person learning robbed them of two formative years in their social development.
Now that they are back at school, many children struggle to re-adapt to in person interaction. Those kids who were naturally shy tend to become even more shy, and they may find it hard to make new friends and to speak up in class. On the other side, children who tended to be more aggressive now encounter difficulties following instructions, getting along with others, and being friendly.
Symptoms Caused By COVID Isolation
Younger children have a tough time verbalizing their feelings. Instead, they will act on their feelings. The actions can include becoming angry and aggressive, withdrawing completely, and being grumpy without explanation. If their feelings are related to anxiety and depression, the behaviors can include lack of motivation, insomnia, or overeating/refusing to eat. When these behaviors occur regularly and start affecting their day-to-day functions, it’s imperative that parents seek guidance and help from a trained professional.
While the COVID pandemic is now largely over, we’re just beginning to see how deeply the disruption in learning will affect our children. If you think your child still might be experiencing lingering effects from COVID isolation, a licensed professional can help. Contact me to schedule a free chat.
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