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CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Post Pandemic by Dr. Stacie Herrera, Herrera Psychology
There is no denying that the last two years have taken a toll on child development. As a global community, we have changed how we interact with others to maintain our health and safety. Children have taken notice, and they may have developed fears of illness or making others sick along the way. The world may be opening up again, but these developed fears are still very present for our young ones. If you had a death in the family due to COVID, your child’s behaviors around illness and wanting to keep others healthy might be concerning. Your children may be especially hesitant to visit, hug, or interact with elderly or immunocompromised relatives. They may want to wear their masks or
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refuse to go near their grandparents. There may even be changes in appetite, withdrawal, or noticeable changes in behavior such as regression in toileting or sleeping habits. When these behaviors start to appear, or any development delay, the question often becomes what to do and when to reach out for help. WHAT TO DO: CHILD DEVELOPMENT POST PANDEMIC If you notice slight changes in your child’s behavior, or extreme resistance to interacting with loving relatives, it may be time to have a new conversation about health and safety. It will be especially important to model the level of care you wish your children to exhibit. Children watch caregivers closely for cues on how to behave. I don’t know about you, but
I’m not always clear on how to maintain health and safety, given the confusing information and expectations happening every day. Take the time to communicate your expectations with your children. Let them know how the immune system works in a developmentally appropriate way. Be very clear about hugs and interactions with elderly and immunocompromised relatives. It may be necessary to teach your children to ask: “Are you accepting hugs?” Actively teach your child about worry thoughts and strategies to manage big emotions. Model those strategies. Create a time of day to openly discuss worries. Be sure to validate their worries, “that does sound scary,” but not minimize their feelings. Provide reassurance and ask your child to identify how they feel when they are worried. If you find that
