In my last blog, I invited parents and caregivers to consider the continued impact of the pandemic on children. This can be especially important as kids prepare to return to school.
As you read this, I invite you to think about how you have been impacted as you try to return to life as usual and how the pandemic may have impacted any children in your life. Remember that we need to view the pandemic as a trauma for kids as well rather than just some kind of event (a shout- out to my colleague Suzanne O’Connor for sharing her research on this subject with me).
The following article states that while infants and toddlers may not remember the pandemic events explicitly, the stress and anxiety experienced by caregivers could indirectly affect them. “Stress hormones like cortisol could have been passed on through breast milk or affect the caregiver’s interactions, potentially impacting the child’s developing stress response system.”
In addition, changes in routines, disruptions in caregiving, and lack of consistent social interaction may have contributed to a sense of instability and insecurity, which can be traumatic for young children.
The following article describes many of the ways children have been impacted, including their exposure to stress and fear and their many experiences of loss and grief. The authors stress the long-term impact stating, “Studies have shown that traumatic experiences in childhood can have long-term consequences for physical and mental health. Recognizing the pandemic as a potential source of trauma can help us provide children with the support they need to heal and build resilience.”
Many researchers stress that we need to appreciate that COVID-19 shut down social activities. One study compared early childhood development in children born during the pandemic versus those born in the previous decade. Children born between March 2020 and June 2021 had lower scores in language, motor skills and thinking. The article describes the significant increase in the number of children with depression and anxiety, showing that between 2019 and 2020 the proportion of mental health-related emergency department visits increased by 24% for children ages 5 to 11 and 31% for adolescents ages 12 to 17.
The following list is a compilation of the recommendations in the articles cited in this blog to help children navigate the transition back to school:
- Communicate openly: Talk to your child about their feelings and concerns regarding returning to school. Assure them that you are very interested in what they are thinking and feeling.
- Provide psychoeducation: Help children understand their emotions and reactions to the pandemic. Validate their emotions and reassure them that it is normal to feel anxious or uncertain.
- Create safe spaces: where children can express their feelings and concerns without judgment. Sometimes children speak more openly when in the car, when taking a walk with you, or as they are getting ready to go to bed.
- Establish routines: Gradually re-establish school routines like wake-up times, meal schedules, and bedtime routines to help children adjust to the school schedule.
- Connect with teachers: Maintain open communication with your child’s teachers, especially childcare and pre-K teachers. Share any concerns about their academic and social-emotional well-being and collaborate on strategies to support them.
- Seek additional support: If your child is experiencing significant difficulties adjusting to school, consider seeking additional support from school counselors, therapists, or other professionals.
Virtually all the articles stress that the COVID-19 pandemic had a unique impact on infants and toddlers, a critical period for development. We need to appreciate that young children have implicit rather than explicit memories of their experiences. These can have lasting effects on children’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Based on this, we all need to apply the principles for responding to a trauma-impacted child when considering how to support them, especially as they get ready to go back to school.
I encourage you to do some of your own research, being critical thinkers and careful consumers. There is a plethora of information on the Internet about the long-term impact of the pandemic.
Invitation for Reflection
- What thoughts, feelings, sensations, images or memories occurred to you while you read this blog? Have you gained new insights that enhance your awareness, understanding and knowledge about things you should and should not do?
- How might you apply some of the coping skills recommended by the various experts to the children in your life?
- What overall messages do you want to transmit to these children? How and why might these messages be helpful to them?
- How can you practice self-care as you navigate your own awareness of the impact the pandemic had on you?
Diane Wagenhals, Director Emeritus, Lakeside Global Institute