As we enter another national lockdown and the closure of schools, parents will have a lot of concerns - and one of them will be how the lack of social interaction is impacting their children of all ages.
In fact recent research from Nick Jr. UK for Blue’s Clues & You! has found that 60% of parents believe lack of playdates due to continued lockdown and tier regulations had affected their child’s confidence whilst 36% noticed their child had become clingier, shyer (20%) and 62% said lack of playdates was affecting their child’s happiness.
But the pattern is not uniform across ages, so Dr Amanda Gummer, psychologist and founder of the Good Play Guide (who has been working with Nick Jr. UK) has shared some tips on how to thrive and not just survive with children of different ages.
How to help babies struggling with lack of socialising
Whilst parents may be in need of some support and we shouldn’t underestimate the dangers of social isolation in new parents, new babies are probably the least affected by the lack of social interactions during lock down, as their focus is on developing a strong bond with their primary carers. So as long as the parents are coping with the lockdown, it’s really not going to have much of an impact on the babies.
Parents can stimulate social skills by having lots of face-to face interactions - lap games like 'Row, row the boat' can be good for this. But even during activities such as nappy changing, try and get and hold eye contact and talk through what you’re doing. Your child will start making babbling noises when you pause, and this is the start of conversation.
When things open up again, don’t rush to socialise with lots of people, give your baby time to get used to an expanding social circle gradually.
How to help pre-schoolers struggling with lack of socialising
Children develop the ability to play cooperatively around the age of three so parents may feel that a lack of play dates is delaying this milestone, but there’s lots of collaborative play that you can do with your child.
Get down to their level and let them lead. Construction toys are great for this. Pre-school children’s world is still quite small and immediate. They may not realise that they’ve not seen their friends for months. It’s more important to them what they are doing today and keeping their immediate environment playful will help them accept and adapt to the current situation.
If you’re stuck for ideas of play or games, nickjr.co.uk/letsplay has a range of fun and educational games for kids, as well as tips and advice for parents.
How to help primary school children struggling with lack of socialising
Primary aged children will miss their friends and giving them a chance to play virtual games can really help maintain those social bonds. Children may seem to be regressing and playing with games or toys you think they’ve grown out of, but go with it and enjoy playing ‘comfort’ games.
Lots of story time and making everyday chores playful can also provide positive interactions that can help compensate for the lack of time they are spending with their friends.
How to help tweens struggling with lack of socialising
As children are about to enter puberty, their sense of identity can undergo a bit of a challenge and fitting in with their friends can be incredibly important to them.
If they are connecting with friends over video, consider relaxing screen time limits to let them know you respect their friendships. Do monitor their online activity though as children are not mature enough and often don’t have the social or emotional skills to manage online communication and can easily become the perpetrator or victim of cyber bullying.
Encouraging wider family and friends to connect via video and enjoying having them help with homework will give tweens good models of online communication to copy and will help them manage their online friendships so they are more able to rekindle them when they are able to socialise again.
How to help teenagers struggling with lack of socialising
Social media is a blessing and a curse for teenagers - It’s how they communicate with friends and so they are able to do this during lockdown and parents may feel that they are not as severely affected by the lack of socialising during lockdown. Whilst this may be true, it’s also true that teenagers need their friends more than any other age group, as they start to make that bid for independence.
Keeping communication with your teenager open and honest provides a great buffer against mental health issues, but it’s not always easy to get them off their screens. Family board games can help, and the conversation will flow more naturally when you are engaged in a joint, fun activity.
Best Parenting Books
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There's No Such Thing As 'Naughty', By Kate Silverton
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The Gentle Discipline Book, By Sarah Ockwell-Smith
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How Toddlers Thrive, By Tovah P. Klein
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The Montessori Toddler
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Sex, Likes And Social Media: Talking To Our Teens In The Digital Age, By Deana Puccio And Allison Havey
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I Am Not Your Baby Mother
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The Calm And Happy Toddler, By Dr Rebecca Chicot
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Calm Parents, Happy Kids: The Secrets Of Stress-Free Parenting, By Dr Laura Markham
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15-Minute Parenting 0-7 Years: Quick And Easy Ways To Connect With Your Child, By Joanna Fortune
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The Joy Journal for Magical Everyday Play
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The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did), By Philippa Perry
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Nobody Told Me
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The Second Baby Book, By Sarah Ockwell-Smith
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How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk
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The Danish Way Of Parenting
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Baby Knows Best
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Calmer, Easier, Happier Boys
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