Because of various COVID-19-related measures, parents have become concerned in connection to the impact of these measures on their children. Initially, a stir was caused by school closure and remote learning, next by the requirement of wearing masks in class, and finally, by routine COVID-19 testing in schools. But are these measures really as harmful, perhaps even traumatic, for children as some parents believe? Learn more below.
The measures also put stress on the children
The measures also put stress on the children
Over the past two years, we have witnessed various events that none of us could have predicted, from facing an unknown virus to developing various strategies for its control. The unpredictable development of the epidemic, the closure down and the reopening of the economy, social distancing, quarantines, public mask wearing mandates, testing, and vaccination have triggered feelings of fear and anxiety in many people, not to mention distrust as well as resistance.
The measures also put stress on the children
People have different responses to change based on their convictions and abilities; what is more, they often forget about their influence on other, particularly children. The new coronavirus can be dangerous while the consequences of the epidemic are far-reaching. Children are not considered high-risk COVID-19 infection group. However, this does not mean that they are not impacted by the epidemic or that they do not experience stress because of it.
Otroci se na spremembe odzivajo hitreje in lažje
Otroci se na spremembe odzivajo hitreje in lažje
The current situation faces us with challenges that we have never faced before. Because of social distancing, families spend more time at home; working from home has blurred the line between professional and private life, and because of quarantine, children are also required to forgo extracurricular activities and wear masks as well as self-test at school.
Article by: Anamarija Bogolin, M.Sc. in psychology
Otroci se na spremembe odzivajo hitreje in lažje
The good news is that children adapt to change more quickly and more easily than adults since they have not yet developed response patterns to specific situations because of limited life experience while their brains are still developing, which helps them learn new skills and behaviours so quickly.
It is fact that children are able to understand and perceive to a much greater extend than adults usually give them credit for. That is why it often seems that, in uncertain times, they actually mirror our own feelings and fears. That is why it is important to be aware that, in moments of uncertainty, children rely on us to show them how to respond appropriately in a specific situation. This task is extremely important because we can equip children with strategies for the successful coping with stress, but inadvertently, we can trigger even more profound feelings of fear and anxiety.
