The UK’s Roadmap out of lockdown and Child Development: What does it mean?
The first
few months and years of a child’s life are some that all parents know the
importance of. From their first words to their first steps, to the first days
of school, your child begins to possess some of the most important life skills
and knowledge they will need. However, the impact of the coronavirus lockdown
measures on children’s development has not gone unnoticed by parents. Not only
that, but the mental health impact the pandemic has had on parents throughout
this difficult time.
However, an
end is in sight. With the roadmap out of
lockdown plan being
confirmed, key milestones have been laid out with specific dates attached,
giving us hope that life will return to normal in the upcoming months. These
dates are vital to parents everywhere. With this said, we discuss what the
dates mean for parents and how they will help continue the development of their
children.
The return of Schools
The Education State suggests that the
first years are "a time when the brain
develops and much of its ‘wiring’ is laid down". Therefore, the staggered school reopening that began on
the 8th of March was a relief for many.
Other than allowing children to
continue their academic learning, it will also provide a break for parents. For
many, the pandemic has meant juggling working from home with looking after
their children and keeping their minds active. This has had a substantial
impact on many people's mental wellbeing during such testing times.
Over a third of parents admitted
that their mental health had been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to
research gathered by 5 Big Questions, a campaign headed by the Duchess
of Cambridge. Of course, there are many reasons why this is the case, but the
reopening of schools at least helped to ease the pressure on parents in the UK.
A helping hand
As of 29th March, six
people or two households were able to meet outside, and it is expected by the
27th May this will be allowed indoors. Furthermore, all current
limits on social contact are scheduled to be removed on the 21st of
June.
This could mean an end to feeling
isolated for parents, especially with new babies, across the country. It could
also mean that they are able to get some help and support from people outside
of their immediate family. After all, parenthood can be hard – from the moment
you find out you're pregnant to the final hospital bag checklist
before the dash to the hospital, to giving birth and holding a new little life
in your arms. After this, there's the pressure of navigating those
all-important early years and making sure that your child has the support that
they need to grow into a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted young adult. All in
all, it's not an easy task!
It goes without saying that no
parent should have to do everything on their own. It's important to understand
the crucial role that wider communities can play both in positively impacting
children's formative years and offering new parents some support. The focus
should be on raising a healthy and happy generation of children, and that
relies on many factors outside the control of the parents.
Luckily, it was revealed by the 5
Big Questions survey that community support for parents had significantly
increased during the pandemic in many regions. However, sadly the same could
not be said for new parents living in the most deprived areas of the UK.
Although 40 per cent of respondents felt that community support had grown, only
33 per cent in deprived areas felt the same.
This much-needed support will
become more accessible once restrictions on social contact with others ease
even more. After these key dates, parents will be able to socialise more and
enlist help and support from their friends and extended family members. Over
the past few months, it has been found that 63 per cent said that they'd
experienced loneliness. So, the opening up of society will come as a
much-needed relief.
The return of activities
It has not been easy for both
children and parents being stuck in the house for several months on end.
Despite creative efforts, many have struggled to keep their kids stimulated and
entertained. Because of this, parents everywhere will breathe a sigh of relief
when they are once again able to do activities with their kids outside of the
house.
As of the 12thApril,
indoor leisure activities reopened once more. So, from parents who are dropping
their ten-year-olds off at football practice to new mothers and babies
attending their first swimming class, possibilities have reopened once again
for all.
Two key factors to early childhood
development are socialisation and stimulation. Therefore, the re-opening of
leisure activities outdoors on the 29th of March and indoors from
the 12th of April is sure to make the world of difference.
We are expected to see more
opportunities for families with young children open up once again as the UK
gradually returns to life as we once knew it. From increased support to a wider
variety of activities, the road ahead looks bright.
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