Across the country, children arenot able to socially engage with their peers in the same way they did beforethe pandemic hit. This is not only detrimental to children’s learning but alsotheir physical and mental health. And, it is understandable if parents areworried.
Because not onlyare parents reporting that the pandemic has had negative consequences on theirchildren’s mental health, almost half said it was also harmful to their ownmental health.
What socialisolation means for kids
In June 2020, in the context ofCovid a group of researchers in the UK reviewed80 studies to find how social isolation and loneliness could impactthe mental health of previously healthy children.
They found social isolationincreased the risk of depression and possibly anxiety, and these effects couldlast several years.
The review also concludedloneliness puts children’s well-being at risk of these things long after thesocial isolation period is over.
The impact of social isolation maybe particularly significant for children with special educational needs, whensupport provided at school to them is interrupted.
Other children “ perhaps thoseliving in medium and high-density housing with limited access to outdoor playspace “ may also be particularly vulnerable to the effects of social isolation.
Some parents with only onechild have alsovoiced concerns about loneliness.
It is difficult to substitute whatreal human interaction with peers means to a child. Active engagement increative play alone or physical activity with parents can be helpful forchildren who miss the company of their friends.
The power of play
What could possibly fix thissituation? The answer is: help children play.
The benefits of regular play aremany and they are welldocumented in research. Paediatricians say play improves children’slanguage skills, early maths knowledge, peer relations, social and physicaldevelopment and learning how to get new skills.
When children can’t play for anyreason, anxiety and toxic stress can harm the healthy development of socialbehaviours.
During the pandemic, play can bean effective tonic for stress and can encourage the development of positivebehaviours.
When children play together, playeffects become even more powerful. Experts say socialplay can helpchildren develop skills in cooperation, communication, negotiation,conflict resolution and empathy.
In social play, children canrehearse and role play real-world situations safely. Through play, they makesense of the world and process change. Parents playing with their children helpchildren play better with their peers.
BOXINSET
How parents canhelp
Children need both guided indoorplay and free play outdoors. Digital devices can provide children a way to playtogether with their friends when they can’t meet with them. But the benefits ofplay are more long-lasting through social play in person.
Parks, green spaces and quietstreets are suitable for outdoor play. Natural environments both soothe andstimulate children, while connecting them to their environment and community.Here are four things you can do to encourage play.
1. Make time for play
The most important thing you cando is to make time every day for your children to play. Take play timeseriously and show your children you value it for the benefit of their well-being,health and learning.
2. Set clear guidelines to technology use at home
It is important to talk with yourchildren about safe and responsible use ofdigital media and technology. This may require agreeing to putsome limits tothe use of screens at home, and encourage children to actively engage withfriends by playing interactive games when using digital devices.
3. Go out whenever possible
A recentreview of nearly 200 studies found “green time” ” time in parks,nature reserves and woods ” appeared to be associated with favourablepsychological outcomes, while high levels of screen time appeared to beassociated with unfavourable psychological outcomes. Find fun outdoor exploratory activities foryour children.
4. Be a role model of all of the above
Children often mimic theirparents. The best way to ensure children grow up healthy and happy is to be arole model to them. More play, and enough quality time outdoors with childrenis good for your own health and happiness, too.
