The Impact Of COVID on Children in School
The impact of COVID on children in school is negative and potentially damaging to their mental health. We are seeing more and more of these negative signs as we head into the third month of “back to school”. The victims are not only the immune compromised or the elderly. It is our children – humankind’s future society.
The impact is likely to be devastating, even though children who contract COVID-19 appear to have less severe symptoms and lower mortality rates than other age groups.
The negative impact I am talking about comes from the non-negotiable decision to enforce masks and social distance at school. These decisions are based on fear of death, a virus, continuing illness, and loss of control.
Is this fear substantiated? Debatable…consider this:
- Was the decision to force children to wear masks reached democratically?
- Were various fields of human care considered, other than medical, when making the decision (such as spiritual leaders, holistic healers and psychologists)?
This stop-start education we are experiencing isn't good for any child, kids just want to be at school with their friends and the idea of separation, not getting close or touching things because germs are the enemy is propitious and that is how our kids are being brought up right now.
Are parents aware of the negative long term effects these decisions will have on their children? Is the solution natural? Does it follow the laws of nature? Are humans meant to learn in a sterile environment, devoid of sensory stimulation and facial expressions?
What about the percentage of children who need the tactile element of learning due to their unique physical and physiological structures? Or children whose home situations do not offer opportunities for growth? Or children who face trauma daily in their family lives? What about children with special needs?
Children and teenagers with special needs, along with their parents, acknowledge that the children’s mental health has been negatively impacted by social distancing and their inability to socialise with their peers.
Now consider these observations in children learning in a sterile environment or institution:
- Impaired physical growth
- Impaired cognitive development
- Elevated instances of serious infection
- Attachment disorders
- Greater aggression in teenagers
How about the effect of fear on children? We are immersing children in fear from all sides: new on TV, news on the radio, constant adult discussion on COVID statistics, and an alien, unnatural learning environment.
Science shows that exposure to fear and chronic anxiety can have lifelong consequences by disrupting the developing architecture of the brain.
The Impact of COVID on Children in School: read the signs
Are you noticing an increase in any of the following behaviours from your child?
- Difficulty concentrating
- Not sleeping / frequent waking
- Loss of appetite or upset stomach
- Sudden shifts to anger / irritability
- Constant worry / negative thoughts
- Frequent crying
- Clinginess
Solutions to help lesson the impact of covid on children in school
Children thrive when they are safe and protected, when family and community connections are stable and nurturing, and when their basic needs are met.
The current health restrictions are not the solution. If the school environment is having a negative impact on children, viable options must be made aware of to the parents. My suggestions are:
- Remove all mandatory health restrictions from school settings
- Disconnect from the news and COVID statistics
- Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and feed your soul with spiritual activities
- Homeschool your children if you are able to
- Organize or join a learning pod
The World Economic Forum published an article highlighting 3 suggestions in ways we can protect our youth from the potentially devastating psychological impact of this pandemic:
- Immediate investments in mental health
- Community-based programming/services
- Including the needs of children in discussions or implementation of containment measures
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the author
Carolina Nagy B.Mus.
Musician | Educator | Youth Advocate
Carolina has been teaching private music instruction for 20 years, 6 of which were devoted to the Division of Preparatory Studies at the University of Manitoba. Carolina’s instruction helps students of any skill level not only be the best musicians they can be, but to love the journey along the way. At the heart of her teaching philosophy is the belief that building confidence and creativity through learning music fuels passion in all areas of life.