Page 33 - Blue Valley News August/September 2021

TODAY’S CHILD

ARE THE CHILDREN COPING?

By Dr Ilse Ruane

he stress, isolation and uncertainty of Possible effects on young children experience inattention and were persistently
the COVID-19 pandemic has weighed Concerning young children (and teens), the asking questions about COVID-19. It was
Theavily on all of us. Many children pandemic and lockdown have had a greater also shown that children, irrespective of age,
and teens have had a tough time coping impact on emotional and social development experienced disturbed sleep, nightmares,
emotionally, while others have adjusted compared to that of adults. In studies done poor appetite, agitation, regressive
well to lockdown and restrictions. They wore so far during the pandemic, it was found that behaviours (bed-wetting), inattention and
masks, gave up birthday parties, sports, and younger children (3-6years old) were more separation related anxiety specifically related
even in-person schooling. Some children likely to manifest symptoms of clinginess, to quarantine and isolation protocols as
have navigated the pandemic, enjoyed fussiness and the fear of family members during the formative years of childhood, the
online schooling and spending more time being infected than older children (6-18 years role of parents is crucial. Any disruption in
with family. Others found it difficult with old). The older children were more likely to the form of isolation from a parent or parents
the lack of academic, social and emotional
support, which does not work the same way
through a screen as it does in person.

But aren’t children resilient?
Resilience is a complicated term with many
contributing factors. Most children are
resilient. They display resilience as long as the
adults around them are mindful of what the
transition back to normal life could look like
and how to facilitate such a transition. Also,
adults need to be able to provide different
levels of support.
My humble opinion is that over the long-
term, they will adapt to this strange time;
but we need to be vigilant regarding those
children and teens who are going to require
some extra assistance along the way.

I have been asked what is happening with
our children and teens during the pandemic.
To answer this complex question, I did some
reading of research studies done in various
countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BLUE VALLEY NEWS • Issue 4 2021 • 31