Nursery World - Lockdown teaches us that children need less stress

Early childhood lecturer Thamara Bulmer's research into young children's experiences of school closures shows that a new reality should mean a new approach, she argues

During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, all schools in the UK were closed for a considerable time. The impact this had on families and children is difficult to measure in terms of economic, social, and emotional impact.

However, during a small-scale research project, I came to find that parents of young primary school children discussed some very positive experiences of having their children at home.

Parents discussed changes of behaviours in their children, which were perceived as positive changes, such as being happy, less stressed, sleeping better, stopping bedwetting, playing independently and creatively.

By asking parents about their experiences, I found that during the pandemic and the prolonged stay at home, the child may have found time to engage with much deeper and extended periods of play. The creative side of a child may develop more, as they have had more time to engage with creative thought processes. One parent highlighted this when she discussed her daughter:

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