The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t just stressful and life-changing for adults – it was the same for babies who had to stay isolated at home for most of their early months on earth. The first two years of their lives were unpredictable and mostly isolated, with limited interactions and trips outdoors.
For new parents, raising a child during the pandemic was as difficult as it gets. They were desperate for help, but they couldn’t risk having other people around them as they wanted to stay safe. They were longing for their family and friends to be a part of their baby’s lives, but they just couldn’t see them due to protocols.
With so much time spent isolating, the pandemic was exhausting for the entire world, and this may have affected the way parents generally raised their children, having to juggle so many things every day.
Of course, no blame should be put on any parent. We were all just trying to make things work at a time where even we were adjusting to so many changes. Don’t be so hard on yourself, mama. We were all trying to make it work.
Due to their circumstances, children who were born during the COVID-19 pandemic are observed to be talking later than they’re supposed to. They’re also less likely to interact with kids their age, and aren’t eager to do so until they’re a little bit older.
Aside from their socio-emotional skills, children are also observed to be more prone to outbursts, separation anxiety, and even aggression as compared to babies born pre-pandemic. Experts deduce that the behavior found in these children may be because of uneven access to health and childcare during the pandemic, and their little exposure to the world outside their home.
Here are some things observed by experts on how pandemic babies differ from their peers, and ways parents can work around it:
1. Pandemic babies may have speech delays.
The first three years of a child’s development is the most critical in their development. At least 85% of the brain’s development happens before a child turns 5, with the majority happening in the first few years of life.
Every experience, interaction, and environment feeds a child’s brain, So, it’s safe to say that nurturing and interacting with your child fosters healthy brain development.
During the pandemic, children weren’t exposed to people visiting their homes, or even walks to the park. They didn’t learn how to say “bye,” because there was no one to say goodbye to in the first place. They didn’t learn how to point, because there was not much to point at when they’re isolated at home.
2. Pandemic babies have delayed fine motor skills development.
Aside from speech delays, studies in China have shown that the earlier part of the pandemic delayed the development of fine motor skills in young kids, particular among 1-year-olds. Children had more difficulty picking things up with their thumb and forefinger compared to those born pre-pandemic.
Researchers from Columbia University hypothesized that a factor for this might have been the mother’s emotional state during pregnancy, as feeling loneliness or stress may alter a child’s brain and behavioral development after birth. They also said that with some parents feeling stressed or depressed during the pandemic, they might have had a harder time engaging with their children.
Intervention Is Key
Despite these noted delays, experts assure parents that these are not permanent. A young child’s brain is malleable. With the world opened up again, children now have more opportunities to go outdoors and interact with other people, which will shape their social development.
Early intervention is key in making sure your little one doesn’t lag behind their peers for good. As a child’s brain begins to distinguish which neural connections are more frequently used, others are going to fade away. In easier words, the brain will lose what it doesn’t use.
1. Talk to your child more
While your little one won’t learn how to communicate in a snap, providing opportunities for you and your child to talk helps them develop the ability to communicate and interact.
If your child still “baby talks,” don’t worry mama, as this is often a good sign. What’s important is that they are trying to talk and communicate with you as best as they can.
Pro tip: try to expand on your child’s speech. If they point and say “cat!,” you can say “Yes! That is your Tito’s gray cat, Tobey!” This way, you are acknowledging what your child said, and are giving them more language to hear and learn.
2. Give them avenues to socialize
Immersing pandemic babies in environments where they get to socialize is an important avenue for them to learn. It’s not too late for your toddler, as social interaction is more meaningful in their second and third years.
At this age, children are able to distinguish between adults and other children. They are also more observant of things happening around them. So, every day, try to foster nurturing, safe, and interactive environments for your children to thrive in. Experts guarantee that if parents are doing just that, their children are on the right track.
3. Be supportive and attentive
When adults are supportive when they interact with their children, they are likely to have better language skills. Being supportive means following a child’s lead when it comes to interaction, and not always directing them or telling them what to do.
This can be applied during playtime, when your child chooses a particular toy to play with. Instead of leading them to something else, talk to your child about what you are both playing with, and take turns speaking. Each interaction builds language skills, no matter how many times you feel you’ve talked about a particular topic. Stay engaged, and it will do wonders for your child.
At the end of the day, remember that your child can and will catch up, mama. Simply guide them by fostering a safe, nurturing, and responsive environment every single day, and they’re already halfway there.
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