Page 30 - Silver Lakes August 2021

TODAY’S CHILD

were persistently asking questions about
COVID-19. It was also shown that children,
irrespective of age, experienced disturbed
sleep, nightmares, poor appetite, agitation,
regressive behaviours (bed-wetting),
inattention and separation related anxiety
specifically related to quarantine and
isolation protocols as during the formative
years of childhood, the role of parents
is crucial. Any disruption in the form of
isolation from parent/s can have long-term
effects on the perceived attachment of the
child. Thankfully, the period of quarantine
and isolation due to COVID-19 is limited
to 10 days; therefore, the disruption to
attachment during this time should be
minimal as it returns to stability relatively
soon. However, parents who are physically
present but emotionally absent will still
have an impact on children’s attachment
going forward. Therefore, it is vital that
parents take good care of their emotional
well-being during the extended time of
the pandemic.
Possible effects on school and university
going students
Unfortunately, the closures of schools and
universities have negatively impacted
on the school/university population.
The home confinement of children and
teens is associated with uncertainty and
anxiety which is attributable to disruption
in their education, physical activities and
opportunities for socialising. Absence
of a structured school setting results in
disruption in routine, boredom and lack
of ideas for engaging in various academic
and extra-curricular activities. Some
children have expressed disinterest in
playing outdoors, meeting friends and
engaging in-person. These children have
become more attention seeking and more
dependent on their parents due to the
change in their routine. Consequently, the
lack of social engagement imposed on
them can have a long-term negative effect
on their well-being.
previously enjoyed, changes in appetite, factor. There is evidence in research to
The social isolation has had a significant weight or eating patterns, and changes show that parental practices and coping
impact on teens. This is their main in appearance, such as lack of personal measures affect the children's mental
developmental life stage, when they are hygiene. The latter should be within health after traumatic events. Parents need
with peers and figuring out who they are reason, since many are practicing slightly to respond to the needs of their children
outside of their families. I am seeing a lot less hygiene during this time at home, based on the developmental phase of the
more depression and anxiety symptoms in as they are not going out. Furthermore, child:
this age group. On the other hand, some children's increased use of the internet
teens are thriving. They have enjoyed and social media predisposes them Young children
being online. They were able to sleep to use the internet compulsively and • Younger children demand more
more, spend more time with their family access questionable content; this may attention from their parents. They need
and continue to communicate with or see also increase their vulnerability to being their parents’ physical presence and
friends. bullied or abused. need to engage in more play related
activities with them. Parents should try
But concerns need to be raised if your Role of parents to devote time to provide the child with
ordinarily outgoing teen shows little In the times of stress and uncertainty, a positive attention and reassurance.
interest in messaging or video calls from secure family environment in which the • The parents might also try to model
their friends, a loss of interest in activities parents can provide is a strong protective appropriate preventative measures and

28 INTRA MUROS AUGUST 2021