The Covid-19 pandemia left deep traces in all aspects of everyday life, but one of the most affected, and less visible groups were young children. While the impact on remote work and virtual education of schoolchildren was analyzed, the effects on children under six were in the background. However, recent studies have revealed that pandemic had significant consequences in its cognitive and social development.
An unexpected finding
Researchers at the University of California in Merced (UC Merced), led by the Professor of Development Psychology Rose Scott, discovered these effects almost by accident. His team had been collecting data on children's cognitive skills before pandemic. When studies resumed after confinement, they noticed an alarming fall in the performance of children in specific tasks.
“It was shocking to see the difference,” said Professor Scott. «Before the pandemic, children of two and a half years could overcome certain evidence. After confinement, five -year -old children managed to do it with difficulty. This finding motivated a deeper investigation to understand the effects on child social cognition.
The key concept: understanding of false beliefs
One of the fundamental elements in child social development is Understanding of false beliefs. This ability allows children to distinguish between what they know and what others can believe, even if incorrect. This concept is essential for social interaction, as it facilitates empathy, cooperation and effective communication.
For example, a child who understands false beliefs knows that another person can ignore something he knows. This is crucial to play, share and resolve conflicts with their peers. Without this ability, interactions become more complicated and can lead to social and academic difficulties later.
Shocking tests and results
To measure this ability, the researchers designed tests with puppets and toys. In one of them, a puppet placed a toy in a container and then left the stage. Another puppet appeared and moved the toy to another place. When the first puppet returned, the child was asked where he believed he would look for him.
Before pandemic, 80% of five -year -old children responded correctly. After confinement, the percentage fell to 63%. In children of families with lower income, the result was even more worrying: only 51% succeeded, a percentage similar to that of chance.
The researchers also evaluated the linguistic skills and the socioeconomic level of families. The comparison between children evaluated before and after confinement showed a clear pattern: those of homes with lower resources experienced a greater fall in their cognitive skills.
Why were low -income children more affected?
The study does not offer a definitive response, but Professor Scott raises several hypotheses. In households with less resources, financial instability and mental stress may have limited significant interactions between parents and children. In addition, these children could have spent more time in front of screens, an activity linked to a lower development of the understanding of false beliefs.
A persistent problem
The study was also updated with tests in 2023, but the results did not show a significant recovery. “The low scores in the understanding of false beliefs are still present, such as a wave that does not go back,” Scott said.
This finding raises key questions: can these children recover the lost terrain? Or will this gap in its development be expanded over time? There are still no clear answers, but the persistence of the problem suggests the need for research and intervention strategies.
The impact on education and child development
The children of disadvantaged environments have already faced obstacles before pandemic, and these effects could aggravate existing inequalities. Identifying these setback areas is key for policy researchers and formulators to design specific support strategies.
In wwwhatsnew we believe it is crucial that society and educational institutions recognize this problem and take measures to address it. Children who lost interaction opportunities during pandemia need spaces that foster cooperation and communication to recover their social skills.
How to help children recover their social skills?
To mitigate these effects, it is essential to implement strategies that strengthen the cognitive and social development of young children. Some key actions include:
- Foster interactive game: Group games and group activities help develop the understanding of outscapes.
- Reduce time in front of screens: Promote face -to -face interaction instead of digital interactions.
- Support early intervention programs: Accessible educational spaces can make a big difference in children from vulnerable environments.
- Promote shared reading: Reading out loud and discussing stories helps develop social understanding skills.
- Provide emotional support and stability: A safe and communicative family environment is key to child development.
The UC Merced study highlights the importance of considering the little ones in post-pandemic recovery. Childhood is a critical stage for brain development and any interruption can have lasting consequences.
From Wwwhatsnew we believe that, by prioritizing the well -being and development of young children, we can help them overcome these challenges and ensure a future in which everyone can grow with equal opportunities.