The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone. The destructive virus has seriously impacted both adults and children, not just physically but also mentally.

A Columbia University study conducted in 2020 found that babies born during the pandemic’s first year scored slightly lower on a developmental screening test of social and motor skills at 6 months compared to babies born just before the pandemic1.

While infants born during the pandemic may face some developmental delays, there are lots of opportunities to intervene and get these babies onto the right developmental trajectory. This article highlights some helpful activities and solutions for parents to consider.

Improving Social Skills

Children may have difficulty with social and emotional skills such as reading facial expressions and initiating communication with others which can cause developmental delays.

At Home: Parents can set up playdates with other children in a safe and controlled environment.

At Kinderland: Teachers encourage group activities and interactive learning exercises on a regular basis to help students to develop their social skills.

Large group activities at Kinderland encourage social interaction.

Encouraging Language Development

Acquiring of speech and language skills occurs most intensively in the first three years of life when the brain is developing and maturing. Speech and language skills develop best in environments that are rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others2. With limited social interactions and exposure to age-appropriate learning, pandemic babies could face language delay due to fewer opportunities to develop their communication skills.

At Home: Parents can engage in meaningful conversations with their children and read books aloud together to encourage language development.

At Kinderland: Teachers incorporate language activities into their everyday lessons. Students are exposed to regular show-and-tell activities, giving children the opportunities to verbalise their experience individually. In addition, Kinderland’s Children’s Music Programme has been proven to enhance children’s reading and listening skill, enhancing their overall language development.

Kinderland children hosting at the Christmas Carnival celebration

More Physical Activities, Less Screen Time

New guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 advised that children under the age of five must spend less time sitting watching screens and have more time for active play if they are to grow up healthy3.

With many activities and interactions taking place virtually, pandemic babies may have been exposed to more screen time than recommended. In fact, WHO advises no screen time for one-year olds and no more than one hour of sedentary screen time for two-year-olds; less is better.

At Home: Parents can set limits on screen time and prioritize physical activities and playtime. It is good to expose young children to outdoor activities. It is also recommended for the young to spend at least 180 minutes on a variety of physical activities throughout the day; more is better.

At Kinderland: Now that the pandemic is behind us, teachers are focusing on providing fun and hands-on learning experiences. Children are encouraged to participate in dramatic play and outdoor experiences to keep them engage and away from screen-time all day.

Kinderland children engaging in dramatic play

Contact Kinderland now to discuss how you can expand your child’s opportunities to learn and develop intellectually and physically.

References

  1. “Babies Born During Pandemic’s First Year Score Slightly Lower on a Developmental Screening Test.” Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 2 Jan 2022.
    https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/babies-born-during-pandemics-first-year-score-slightly-lower-developmental-screening-test
  2. “Speech and Language Developmental Milestones.” National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Website Health Information, Last Updated Date: October 13, 2022
    https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/speech-and-language#:~:text=The%20first%203%20years%20of,speech%20and%20language%20of%20others
  3. “To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more.” World Health Organization News Release, 24 April 2019.
    https://www.who.int/news/item/24-04-2019-to-grow-up-healthy-children-need-to-sit-less-and-play-more