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Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.

Covid

Effect of long term isolation/social distancing on young children

26 replies

MrStateTrooper · 21/03/2020 07:43

Hello,

I'm not really expecting any answers to my questions here, but I've been having a lot of anxiety about this (and many other things), and thought it might help to write down my thoughts and gauge the opinion of others.

Our self - isolating household consists of myself, DH and DD, who is 3. Up until recently DD attended nursery, as well as being looked after by my MIL once a week. She saw extend family (MIL, FIL, SIL and my niece) on a regular basis, and had a fantastic relationship with them. She was just starting to form friendships with her classmates, and would regularly talk about her 'best friend'. She's pretty friendly, and whenever we went to the park would find another kid to talk to and play with.

All of that has now stopped, of course, and that is the way it needs to be for now. I totally understand that, and we are following the rules of social distancing strictly.

But I can't help but feel some concern over how this will effect DD when she is at an age where she's starting to form those social bonds, and learn how people interact. DH and I are doing our best to be enough for her, but I'm also working from home and feel guilty that I can't always play with her.

I realise that she's at an age where friendships are fickle, and she might not have even remembered her 'best friend' in a few months anyway, but it breaks my heart when she asks me where she is Sad. Kids need other kids don't they? Skype or whatever is just not the same, as she tends to lose interest in the screen.
And it looks like we're in this for the long haul Sad

I'd be interested to hear other people's thoughts on this, and if you have any reassuring words, then please share them!

OP posts:
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LynnSchmob · 21/03/2020 11:51

I can’t see people agreeing to self isolation for 18 months although I don’t think it will come to that.

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