Lockdown lag: How this year's primary school starters are impacted by the COVID19 pandemic
Over 200,000 babies were born when lockdown was at its most restrictive, they're now four years old and putting on their school shoes for the first time.
The babies born at the height of the COVID19 pandemic are donning their school uniforms for the first time this week, as they start in reception classes up and down the country. It's something millions of children have done before them, and yet this particular cohort is catching the attention of parenting and health experts, who believe many may have been adversely affected by lockdown.
202\0 is synonymous with social isolation, mask wearing, video calls and increased levels of stress and anxiety, as a result of the never-before-seen measures that were enforced across the world to limit the spread of COVID19.
It's those missed opportunities to mix with peers, play on parks or see friends and family that we're told are now having a knock-on impact to those who went through the lockdown in their most formative stages. It’s believed a portion of those children, who are now four years old, are struggling with speech and language delays, as well as challenges with social skills and emotional regulation. But the full extent of the issue will likely only become clear in years to come.
In 2021, a report by Speech and Language UK found 1.5 million children were behind in talking and understanding words following the pandemic, with 67% of primary school teachers surveyed at the time believing at least one of their pupils was behind with their speaking and/or understanding because of Covid.
Home-Start centres have been helping to support families with children aged 0-5 for more than 50 years and the charity estimates over 200,000 babies were born when lockdown was at its most restrictive, between 23rd March and 4th July 2020.
Ellie Harrison is CEO of Home-Start's Warrington and Cheshire branch, who says this period has been challenging: "I think starting school is always a big milestone for any family. But for these particular children and this particular generation of families, it has been more difficult and challenging, due to them going through that period of lockdown. Those children weren't seeing anyone, except their immediate family, which had such an impact on them.
"When they could go into the outside world, we developed our groups. It was to give children that opportunity to meet other children, which for such a long period they didn't have. It did have an impact on their development and their socialisation skills. And so I think that is now having a knock on impact into them going into school."
Ellie says it's also taken a toll on the mental health of parents, who're contacting the service for issues with anxiety: "We've seen a massive increase in that over the last few years. And that's because it's been so difficult for families going through that period of time on their own, not knowing how to get support or not being able to access support in lockdown.
"That's created a lot of anxiety and some people just find it really hard now to get out of the house and to get that support. I think it's about knowing that you're not alone. We went through a period that was once in a lifetime, hopefully, and that is going to have a long term effect on people and how they're feeling. There are really good services out there that can support you and that can work alongside you but it's just about reaching out for that support via your health visitor or nursery school and not being embarrassed to ask."
You can learn more about the services offered at your local Home-Start branch here.
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