Social distancing is difficult for children Find out how to help your child cope with loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Until late 2019, most children spent their time constantly interacting with friends, teachers, relatives and neighbors, and suddenly the COVID-19 pandemic changed their lifestyle.
To prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus, several regions around the world have temporarily closed schools, childcare centers, and playgrounds, and have suspended scouting activities and student programs that were usually held after school. And many families are obligated to stay at home or practice social distancing, which limits children's ability to spend time with friends and family. As expected, these changes caused feelings of loneliness in children and adolescents.
The effect of loneliness on children
Feeling lonely due to pandemic conditions can be harsh for children and children may find it more difficult to express their feelings than adults. In this case, children cannot rely on well-known coping strategies, such as exchanging visits with friends.
Social distancing measures also prevent children from spending time with their peers during a stage considered essential for social growth and development. Friendships with other children can provide important support for children, develop a sense of belonging, and help them develop their individual identity.
Loneliness in children and adolescents is also a cause for concern because it may have long-term effects. Research has shown that feeling lonely in children, especially if it lasts for long periods, is linked to the emergence of mental health conditions later, such as depression and anxiety. The Covid-19 pandemic may also exacerbate the mental health conditions already present in the child, due to severe stress and limited access to health care during the pandemic.
Helping children deal with loneliness
Despite the frustration, boredom and inconvenience that social distancing causes to children, it is important to continue to take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of Covid 19. This means continuing to physically distance your children from others outside your family. To help your child deal with the loneliness that social distancing causes:
Encourage the child to spend time with friends
The child needs to spend fun and meaningful time with friends to feel connected and supported. In fact, due to the pandemic conditions, your child will likely have extra free time to do so. The safest way for your child to talk to or play with others during the COVID-19 pandemic is through video or voice calls. Older children may enjoy texting or sharing play online with friends. This may require you to temporarily loosen restrictions on how much time your child is allowed to spend using smart devices. But make sure to continue to ensure the safety and quality of the time the child spends, by inspecting the games he uses, using the "parental control" options provided by smart devices when needed, and supervising the child's activities on the Internet. For non-mobile communication, children can exchange written messages or drawings via mail.
Foster an atmosphere of peace and quiet in the home
During troubled times, children need safe and secure relationships with parents and other caregivers. To help younger children cope, it is best for parents to hug and cuddle a lot. Be supportive and check on your child regularly. It can be helpful to agree to a regular daily or weekly time to do this. If possible, take advantage of this opportunity to spend more time with the child and accompany him through family activities so that everyone enjoys them.
Stay in touch with family and friends
Plan to make voice or video calls to allow your child to spend time with relatives and other important people in his life. For example, you could ask a relative to read a story to your child over the phone or over the video call. Or, invite family members or friends to a chat party via a group video call.
Talk to your child about the feelings
Your child may be upset about missing a particular social occasion, like a birthday party. Acknowledge to your child the importance of the missed occasion, ask him about his feelings, and show your interest in and understanding of these feelings. Allow your child to guide the discussion rather than making assumptions about how he thinks and feels. Another idea is to give your child an age-appropriate book to help him deal with loneliness. Through this method, you train your child to use appropriate words to express his feelings. Or ask your child to write down what he is missing, such as certain people, places, or events. Also, explore different ways a child can deal with the things he or she is missing out on, such as setting up a birthday party differently or effectively preparing it when the need for social distancing is gone.
Set a daily goal
Spending time performing purposeful activities can help your child feel an order and meaning in their daily life. This can help your child cope with a change in routine. Examples of purposeful activities that a child can enjoy are: reading, cycling, recording music or videos, baking, dressing up, painting, writing, planting a garden, or building something. Encourage your child for individual creativity To stimulate your child, consider organizing a talent show on one of the conference calling platforms. Invite family or friends of your child to watch the show. Older children may enjoy gathering information on a topic they like and then sharing what they learn with friends.
Get a pet
If you have the time, space and budget, research suggests that having a pet in the home may help protect children from feeling lonely and socially isolated. Pets provide children with a sense of comfort and develop a sense of responsibility and social support, which enhances their sense of self-satisfaction. What distinguishes pets is that they enable children to form relationships that are compassionate and free from negative judgments.
It is true that your child cannot stop the conditions imposed by social distancing, but your child can control how to deal with these conditions. By encouraging your child to communicate with others, express his feelings, and find meaning in his daily life, you are helping him deal with the loneliness caused by the pandemic. Also, this child's experience may contribute to refining his personality and preparing him better to deal with future challenges.