Childhood Development: The Impact of COVID-19 on a Generation of Children

In the first five years, doctors use milestones to track child development. Milestones are key things most children can do at certain ages. For example, most children take their first steps by 15 months, play with other children by age 3 and can write some letters by age 5. Get a list of all of the developmental milestones.

Should you be worried if your child doesn’t meet a milestone? “Not necessarily,” says Dr. Chow. “Every child develops at their own pace and you know your child best. But if you have concerns, talk to your child’s doctor.”

Sometimes, parents don’t find out their child has a developmental delay until they go to school. By this time, the child has missed out on valuable treatments that could have improved their development. The earlier you identify a problem, the quicker you can get the help your child needs.

Monitoring whether your child is meeting the milestones for their age is an important step you can take to promote healthy childhood development, says Dr. Chow. Other things she suggests include:

• Promoting your child’s health and safety, for example with good nutrition, physical activity, vaccinations and household and vehicle safety
• Reading and talking to your child
• Responding appropriately to your child’s behavior, such as smiling back when your child smiles
• Setting routines and minimizing household chaos
• Showing warmth and kindness
• Using appropriate, but not harsh, discipline

Ages 6 through 11 are a time of growing independence for your child. As friendships become more important, peer pressure can have a negative impact on their well-being. Children who develop confidence in themselves and their abilities are better equipped to resist peer pressure.

At the higher end of this age range, children are approaching puberty. With this change comes a greater awareness of their body and the potential for body image problems. Higher expectations at school may also be a challenge for some children.

“Being involved in your child’s school, meeting their friends and communicating openly are essential during this time,” says Dr. Chow. “Show your child abundant affection, praise, encouragement and support. To help them develop responsibility and make smart choices, set clear rules and use discipline, instead of punishment.”

Teens experience a wave of physical, emotional and social changes. Puberty is in full swing, bringing with it changes in their bodies and moods. Eating disorders, depression, poor grades, substance abuse and unsafe sex are just some of the risks for teens.

Steps you can take to help your teen manage these risks include:

• Be aware of any changes in behavior
• Discuss what to do in uncomfortable situations
• Encourage sleep, exercise and good nutrition
• Respect their opinions, feelings and privacy
• Spend time together
• Support their involvement in school and extracurricular activities
• Talk to your teen openly about the challenges they are facing

As young children develop socially and emotionally, they benefit greatly from daycare, preschool and play dates. These interactions help children learn how to develop relationships, get along with others and problem solve.

COVID-19 shut down social activities. One recent study compared early childhood development in children born during the pandemic versus those born in the previous decade. Children born between March 2020 and June 2021 had lower scores in language, motor skills and thinking.

For older children and teens, mental health problems are a significant concern. “Before the pandemic, it was less common to see children with depression and anxiety,” says Dr. Chow. “Now, we’re seeing numerous children every day.”

National data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention support Dr. Chow’s observations. Between 2019 and 2020, the proportion of mental health-related emergency department visits increased by:

• 24% for children ages 5 to 11
• 31% for adolescents ages 12 to 17

Pandemic factors that have contributed to this increase in mental health symptoms include:

• Fear of contracting COVID-19
• Increased screen time
• Lack of physical activity
• Parental stress
• Social isolation

In the wake of the pandemic, Loyola pediatric practices have implemented screenings to identify children with behavioral or mental health issues. They have also received additional training to treat anxiety and depression in young patients.

For children who need mental health counseling, Dr. Chow recommends:

• National Alliance of Mental Illness (including NAMI Illinois), a national organization that provides comprehensive resources for people with mental health issues
• Pillars Community Health, a health and social service provider in the Chicago area that offers behavioral health care and accepts public health insurance
• Psychology Today, a mental health magazine that offers information, support and help finding a therapist

“The pandemic was devastating in many ways, but one bright spot is the reduced stigma around mental health,” says Dr. Chow. “I feel like parents and teachers are much more open to having conversations about children’s mental health and supporting their need for counseling.”