Helping Your Child or Teen Stay Socially Connected During COVID-19

Parents’ first concern when schools announce they are closing for the remainder of the semester is likely, “How am I going to maintain my child’s learning?” However, your child’s social and emotional development is also impacted by the loss of structured school time. While the schools are working hard to provide academic work to your child, you may find your efforts best suited to help your child with another consequence of school closing… their social life and developing social skills. School time allows your child, whether they are a young child or a teenager, a structured reliable time each day when they can see their friends, practice social skills, and build relationships. Even if they talk to friends on social media or texting, there are invaluable skills your child builds by communicating face to face with their friends.  When your student has a disagreement with a classmate, they must go back to school and face the person the next day. This helps them try out the necessary skills of repairing relationships and getting along with people who may not necessarily be their favorite. When students have a disagreement with a teacher, they must face that teacher again within a couple of days, and work on ways to rebuild that relationship.  Many children and teens struggle with social anxiety, and going to school each day provides them with an environment that challenges their social interaction skills. They must walk into a crowded cafeteria and find their frien...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Children and Teens Communication Parenting Students Child Development coronavirus COVID-19 homeschooling pandemic Social Anxiety social connection Social Interaction social media Social Skills Source Type: blogs