Child/toddler development during nursery closure

[unhappyclap]

It's just me and DS who is almost 2 at home, close family are all still working in key worker roles so dont want to have close contact with them during this time.

Anyone else worried about their child'd development as nurseries will be closed for the forseeable future?

Obviously going out to soft plays and other toddler friendly events/centres is out of the question.

I will look in to Amazon to see what we can do together at home, but i am still worried he could be behind in his development when nursery reopens as he wouldn't have been socialising.

Everyone is going to be in the same position and I’m sure there will be provision for the children upon returning to school/nursery.
I was worried as my daughter is 4 and starts school in September but all of the children will of been in the same position as I think even the children that can go into school it’s going to be more of a babysitting role, keeping a group of children in a range of ages occupied rather than teaching.

They will all be the same. He is only 2, he can socialise with you and use technology to chat with relatives. Look on pinterest for fun ideas to keep him busy and stimulated.

I'm slightly concerned too but all children of all ages are going to be the same.

I've got a 2.5 year old who will start at the school nursery September and also a 4 year old who will start full time school in September. I am going to be doing phonics and number work with my 4 year old and plenty of reading and learning with them both.

Do you have any other DC you see regularly? We have a nursery parents whatsapp chat and the kids are recording little videos for each other.

Try not to worry about socialisation, lots of under 2s are still at home, and rural ones might not do that much in terms of toddler groups/library trips (DBro and I didn't).

Yes very true about all children's development being affected, this may have an effect on teachers who need to teach them too. No one is unaffected by this virus sadly.

Thank you for the pinterest tip, I will look in to it.

I don't have any of DC, it's just me and DS.

I work in education, and at that age the BEST thing you can do for your child is play. That is how they learn about the world, it is what they naturally want to do. If you're providing opportunities for play then that's all you need to do!

thanks @honeywheeler. I have just bought him a pots and pan set alongwith a cleaning set. We wil also be facetiming friends/family everyday

Lots of children that age don't go to nursery anyway. I really wouldn't be fussed about a 2 year old (not even) missing nursery. Just play. That's all they need. Play

Read books to him. Play is great too and go for walks. Look at nature and start to look at colours. Get him to describe what he sees. Use the time to develop language. There will be lots of ideas on line too.

I also meant to say that 2 year olds don’t really have relationships with “friends” at nursery. Children are around 4 before they take much notice, in a meaningful way, of others around them. A few months not being around other DC will not harm him.

OP, we have a pandemic coming and you are worried about 2yo not be able to socialise?! That is snowflake central, I am afraid.

kmt! @Ihavechangedmyname2manytimes it is okay to have more than one concern, including concerns about children's development. Whether you think it is a valid concern or not is not up to you, you do not need to comment on the thread. My post is primarily about child development not socialising, socialising for children is a way they develop new skills, when they are not socialising as they usual would I think it is only right to consider/discuss alternatives for development.

I am grateful for the helpful replies on the thread.

All the 2 year olds I know attend nurseries, so it is reassuring to hear from others that they know of some who don't attend and are perfectly fine. I was also concerned as I am a single parent so my child only has me to communicate with, as opposed to two parents or a large family.

Again, thank you for the helpful replies.

They don’t need to go to nursery. That’s just an ideology that the government have been selling to us for years to try and boost the economy through having more working mums.

All the 2 year olds I know attend nurseries, so it is reassuring to hear from others that they know of some who don't attend and are perfectly fine.

The majority of 2 year olds in the U.K. don't go to nursery.

@bemoreeverything great to know this, the comments have made me less worried in all honesty. I now have even more time to play with him.

They really do not learn huge amounts from other 2 year olds. 2 year olds tend to play independently. They don’t require other DC to play with them. They probably don’t chat to other DC either. They learn much more from the staff. Socialising won’t be harmed by not going. It could be at 3/4 years old if DC has never been to nursery. You can step in and provide your DC with what he needs.

@Ihavechangedmyname2manytimes early years are very important for development and these children are our future so it's a pretty important thing to be mindful of.

That said, it will be ok OP for all the reasons PPs said. They tend to play parallel rather than together at this age and as long as you are talking to DC lots and giving them opportunities to play they'll learn! I have a two year old too and am sad about all the things she loves and can't do as she doesn't understand.

It is possible to worry about more than one thing at a time

I'm similarly concerned about DS who is 2.7, but the local parents Facebook groups are full of ideas and local music classes who are doing virtual classes.