Lockdown and the Corona Virus: The positive and negative effects on the young child. Tips for parents 

The following depends on the age and birth position of the child in the family, work status of the parents and whether the child is used to being home-schooled or attends a school. This article informs and is a must-read for all parents

The POSITIVE impact

  Lockdown Effects on the Young Child

I have noticed that in this period of Lockdown that:

• Families are drawing closer to one another: I notice fathers skate-boarding with their children and children assisting their mothers with cooking, baking and housework.
• Families are sitting together at meal times: this provides time for many discussions and opportunities for “getting to know you”.
• Children are being left to entertain themselves: in the past months children were so busy with school, homework, extra lessons, sport and extra mural activities. They never had time to do things they really wanted to do. Parents are delighted to discover that they don’t have to “pay” for children to be entertained!
• Children are reading more.
• Children have started to appreciate and enjoy nature: two of my grandchildren have planted carrots! Surprise! Surprise! Yes, carrots do grow under the ground! They are not just “found” at the shop!
• Many children have received a pet for the first time: this has taught them responsibility and, although not the same as a playmate, a new kind of friendship has been formed.
• Most children and their parents have been introduced to 21st Century learning: such as online zoom classes. They have greatly expanded their technological skills.
• Parents are learning themselves as they assist their children.

“Personalised learning will be the new way

of learning in the 21st Century!”

– Dr Edwina Grossi, 2020

The Negative impact

Cognitive development

• The parent who is not used to home-schooling may not understand where gaps are in the child’s learning. Parents may get frustrated which may cause the child to “shut down”.
• Some do not have access to technology.
• Children learn from children.
• Parents may not understand the importance of the child reading daily.

Emotional effects

• Fear: fear is instilled as children see pictures of those in hospital and hear parents discussing retrenchments. Many children are asking about death.
• Sadness: children are sad that they cannot play with their friends.
• Disappointment: many children were of the opinion that the pandemic would soon be over. Hope turned to disappointment as the dates for school return, travel, attendance of social events and family visits were extended. Many children had planned their birthday celebration.
• Loneliness: children enjoy the company of friends who know how to play games suitable for their age.
• Anxiety: children are becoming anxious about life ever returning to normal, when they see others not wearing a mask or keeping a distance.
• Anger: children have expressed anger at the government for their “stupid rules.”
• Nervous: children are becoming nervous when entering a shop. They are continuously having to have their temperature taken and hands sanitized.

Social Awkwardness: As contact with other children has been nil for some months, especially in the case of the only child, children may become socially awkward

Physical Development: Children may not be having proper exercises and fine and gross-motor muscles will probably be affected.

Dr. Grossi’s TOP TIPS FOR PARENTS during Lockdown:

• Make a calendar of daily exciting activities; this will give your child something positive to look forward to.
• For the development and strengthening of gross- and fine-motor muscles, do creative and physical activities with your child. For those who don’t have my Home-School programs, in which this is included, purchase the age-appropriate booklet, Wonderskills. The booklet on Creative activities will give many exercises designed for fine-motor movement and hand-eye co-ordination.
• Social Skills: ensure your child is in contact via face time etc. with peers and relatives.
• Find out your child’s Intelligence (click to listen to my Podcast on The Intelligences, or purchase my book Lanterns and Lunch Tins from www.aohbl.com) in order to better understand what your child may be interested in.
•  Parents not knowing how to explain about death – refer to my blog “what to tell a child about death at different ages”.

Read more blogs by Dr. Grossi by clicking: Dr G’s Blog Page

Listen to Dr. Grossi’s informative Podcasts by clicking: Dr G’s Podcasts 

Click the following link for direct access to Dr Grossi’s Podcast on “The Intelligences – A call for personalised learning” 

Dr Grossi’s auto-ethnography, ‘An Ordinary Teacher‘ was lauded as a triumph for education in South Africa as she recounts her experience in the field of Education