“Let us all work so children do not lose more of their childhood.”
Mental health has been a buzz phrase because of the pandemic. We hear of people having anxiety attacks, sleeping disorders, and the like because of what we have been experiencing for nearly two years now. At least us adults can verbalize what we feel, and thus, we are able to seek help when needed.
But what about the young children who do not even know that they are affected by the very long period of staying indoors? They are unable to interact with other children and have stopped seeing and experiencing the outside world. How has this pandemic affected them?
A few days back, my daughter was upset upon knowing that the public parks near them have yet to allow children in, even with strict observance of health protocols. Yet, the same children could already enter malls and the like. This policy was at best illogical since open spaces are the safer spaces against COVID-19 because of good ventilation.
My daughter and son-in-law wanted to bring my grandchildren to parks as a way of reorienting and reintroducing them to the outside world since they have been cooped inside their home for at least a year and eight months now. Both kids were quite active and vivacious in and out of the house. They remained playful in the home setting and never displayed any sign of anxiety because of the long period of staying indoors.
The elder has experienced going to a big school for three years before COVID-19 struck but the younger is only in grade one now, so his only exposure to school was his pre-school. It was quite small although it used the Montessori system and thus, highly interactive. He was supposed to be in a big school by now.
Admittedly, my grandchildren are privileged because their parents are both medical doctors and are able to adequately provide for their needs. They did not experience the additional burdens of poverty like lack of food, toys, and other needs. Except perhaps for the time that my daughter contracted mild COVID-19 and the additional precautions they take because both parents are frontliners, my grandchildren are indeed better-situated than many other children their age.
We had the opportunity to bring my granddaughter out for an errand that required her presence. When we picked her up, with a big smile, her first words were, “I’m very happy to be able to go out of the house!” She repeated this a few more times. We realized then that while she never articulated missing being outside, she actually felt it. She is eleven and better understands what she should do outside but still, we watched over her like hawks. We were ready with the alcohol spray every time she touched any surface. She dutifully followed everything we told her about keeping her mask and shield on always and observing physical distancing. She was her usual self albeit a bit more quiet than usual. I saw her actively observing what was going on as if absorbing everything. Indeed, she missed being out.
Not long after this, for the first time during the pandemic, the two kids were brought outside by their parents to just walk around their neighborhood, something they did often pre-COVID-19. Our boy used to be the more adventurous one as he liked hunting for insects to be sent free again.
During the walk, our girl was okay but our boy, now six years old, was anxious and apprehensive. He did not want to go far and when he could no longer see their house he repeatedly asked, “Where’s our house? Are we very far?” He looked back often as if to make sure that he would be able to go back. This is a place that he was very familiar with as he used to run around the neighborhood playing with other kids just less than two years ago. On their way back, he was very happy when he saw their house and ran towards it. His parents then realized that while our boy did not know, the very long period of staying in has affected him.
They resolved that they would bring the kids out more and more until they regain their confidence with being outdoors.
Having observed these in my two grandchildren, one wonders if others are also affected, and how. I am especially thinking of children below ten years old who, I strongly suspect, will need to be closely observed because they may not be able to completely articulate the complexities of feelings such as fear, anxiety, insecurity, and apprehension. For psychologists, this might be a worthwhile study to make.
Parents and families should now begin the process of re-familiarizing the children with the outside world, and in dealing with other people in person while continuing to strictly adhere to safety protocols. We should remain vigilant in protecting them against COVID-19 but we can now bring them out to safe spaces and have activities with them. We may allow them to see a few other people but strictly monitor them. Lastly but most importantly, as soon as vaccines for children become available, get them inoculated.
Schools should also now begin the preparations for the reintegration of children into the face-to-face learning system. This takes a lot more than physical preparation of school facilities. Schools need to be extra-mindful of the activities for children and learning methods that will be employed so pupils’ feelings and behaviors are observed and processed. I guess the guidance counselors and school clinics must be more engaged. Teachers must also be more understanding and patient with their returning and starting students.
Let us all work so children do not lose more of their childhood. Almost two years of their precious formative years are gone forever. It is up to us adults to help our children to be well-adjusted and recover from the otherwise hidden effects of the pandemic on them.
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