It is now June, which means that most of us have been in isolation due to COVID-19 for almost three months. By now, many of us have found creative ways to cope with loneliness and isolation during these trying times, and there are many resources for those whose mental health may be suffering due to prolonged time without genuine social interaction.
As difficult as this is for many of us, we often forget that young children are going through the same struggles as us. Many children have been out of school for several months, which means that they are not getting nearly as much socialization as usual. This can have long-term consequences if we do not find creative ways for children to safely socialize with individuals their own age.
Of course, no one wants their child to feel lonely and depressed, but without the ability to maintain friendships during this pandemic, children’s mental health may suffer, both in the short run and in the long run.
In a study conducted in 2003, researchers found that psychological well-being in third through sixth graders was predicted by friendship. Friendship experiences for children this age directly influenced feelings of loneliness and depression. Thus, children must be able to make friends and interact with them regularly to help avoid these negative feelings.
Further, in 2015, researchers conducted a different study to measure the long-term impacts of childhood friendships. The researchers followed up with the same individuals over 18 years and found that having just one good childhood friend was sufficient to reduce the likelihood of psychological difficulties in adulthood. This means that it is imperative to allow and encourage your children to develop and maintain healthy friendships, but of course, this can be difficult during the current pandemic. However, the good news is that there are many ways to keep your kids happy and healthy at home during COVID-19. You can also read more about COVID-19 and kids!
Beyond just keeping your children entertained at home, here are five creative ways to ensure that your kids safely get the socialization that they need to prevent negative mental health outcomes:
Encourage your children to take socially distanced walks or bike rides with a friend
As fun as family bike rides and walks are, these activities can also be a great way for children to hang out with friends. Make sure that your child knows that they must be at least six feet away from his their friend at all times, and have your child and their friend wear a face mask as an extra precaution.
As long as your child is at a safe distance from their friend, walking or biking is a great form of exercise and socialization that can help improve your child’s mental health during these difficult times.
Have a socially distanced picnic with another family
Take advantage of the beautiful summer weather and go for a family picnic, and invite another family with kids! Make sure to position your picnic blanket at least six feet apart from the other family and be sure not to share food.
Although this may not feel entirely normal, it is a great way for your children to feel like they are back at school and having lunch with friends in the cafeteria. You can make it feel even more like school by packing your children’s lunch in their favorite school lunchboxes.
Help your child host a virtual slumber party
Some of the best childhood memories are late nights of movies and snacks after parents have gone to bed. Of course, it is not a good idea to have a bunch of children inside your house right now, but virtual sleepovers can be just as fun!
Set your child up with movie snacks, a sleeping bag, and a laptop for video chatting and have their friends do the same. There are many apps, like Netflix Party, that make virtually watching a movie with friends easy! Who doesn’t love a good movie night that ends with playing Truth or Dare in a sleeping bag? This is a great way for your children to maintain friendships safely while having fun!
Participate in a virtual game night
As much as kids love video games, sometimes it’s nice to go back to the basics with a good old game night! Many games are easy to play over video chat, such as charades, Bingo, and trivia.
Encourage your kids to set up a virtual game night with their friends or organize a family vs. family game night! This is a great way to ensure your kids get the socialization they need, and a little healthy competition is always a fun way to keep children engaged.
Get creative with sidewalk chalk
If your child is too young to understand that they have to stay at least six feet apart from friends, grab some sidewalk chalk, and designate a play area for each child. The visual will help younger children understand where they are supposed to be and give you peace of mind.
Get creative with how your child and friend can play with each other from their designated spaces. Some ideas include encouraging them to draw with chalk inside their spaces, have a jump rope or hula hoop contest, or have a dance party!
The bottom line is that socialization and friendship are just as important for children as they are for us, but it can be difficult for children to know how to socialize safely without our help. It is important to allow your kids to have time alone with friends and help them creatively maintain childhood friendships to avoid mental health issues now and in the future.
Check out more Health Fitness Revolution articles on COVID-19 and kids.
