Child Development during the Pandemic

[Ad11]

Hi, I'm an undergrad design student taking a minor in design for healthcare. For our research on children's cognitive development, we had a few questions to gain further insight into the topic, specifically with relation to the pandemic:

1. Have you noticed any change in your child's learning patterns post pandemic?
2. What are some changes in your child's behavior that you have noticed which you think are effects of the pandemic?
3. Have you discussed your child's learning and cognitive development phases during the pandemic with other parents? If so, were there any common concerns that came up regarding the same?

As a nursery practitioner we've noticed behavioural immaturity - less resilience and independence. Most children 3+ came back really happy to interact with peers but have lacked the maturity they would usually have at the same stage. Babies have seemed happy to come and interact overall most children seemed eager to make social connection.

Communication and speech development has taken a down turn. Our assumption is lack of variety of adults to interact with, working parents perhaps not having the ability to play with them while trying to work during lockdown. There is a lot of repetitive play as if they are copying TV show learning.

They tend to be better than usual at numbers and fine motor skills - perhaps more table top play and small world play during the lockdown period.

So basically communication and social skills - including listening and attention - are less mature while fine motor skills and numbers are better.

That of course is only observing children in my particular groups.

We've noticed the PSED, children lacking independence skills including delayed potty training, dressing etc. Inability to take turns or share. Less cooperative play.
Fear of the outside world....lifts, escalators, real babies crying
Communication and attention....circle times, singing in groups, group story times easily distracted, children unfamiliar with handling books or listening to stories.
Physical skills children struggling with fine motor unable to use tools like scissors or scoops
Reluctance to do messy play....much more fear of dirty hands.
Children are better at IT skills turning on TVs Netflix etc at 2 years up as well as using phones and tablets. They then sit focused in front of them until its removed.
Eating skills relying more on hands and spoons even 6 year olds unable to use knife/fork or fork/spoon.
The delays are most noticeable in children who accessed no childcare in first two lockdowns.

Surely you need informed consent to collect this information? What university are you at? Has the research been through ethical review?