Children's concerns and reactions during distance, virtual, and online learning



During the global health crisis of COVID-19, the new norm of learning make some children feel scared, stressed, and confused when facing new challenges and changes. Let’s review some characteristics to differentiate long-distance, virtual, and online learning. For long-distance learning, an internet connection is not required in real time. Students and parents decide when and where to study. Communication occurs through phone calls and text messages. Learning materials are handed and mailed and also include television and radio. Virtual learning uses a platform and requires a connection to the internet. Teachers share a variety of resources using the virtual platform. Students download material and upload activities. The communication occurs through the platform and by email. Teachers and students may not coincide making asynchronous participation. In online learning, a connection to the internet is required and the classes are live allowing the resolution of questions and feedback in real-time. Thus, students and teachers coincide.

Children's reactions and what to do

For these new experiences, adults need to be patient and help children feel safe checking their feelings and assuring them that all is going to be just fine. However, all children react differently and can show signs of stress also in different ways, including behaviors of past stages of early years. Here are some concerns that children may show and how to address them carefully and appropriately.

Confusion

If the child feels confused and misunderstands what is happening and why to give a clear explanation whenever the child asks. Correct any misunderstandings and information that is unclear or confusing.

Fear

Feelings of fear can be responded to by providing a safe place for expressing their fears, sadness, or other emotions. Allow them to cry or feel sad. Adults need to be responsive to these feelings while seating next to the child until he/she could feel better.

Sleep problems

Temporary sleeping arrangements can work when the child complains about bad dreams or fears about sleeping alone. Establish a plan with your child to go back to normal sleeping habits explaining to the child that bad dreams are normal and understanding the emotions they are feeling.

Changes in behavior

Engage in activities with your child making recreational exercises and activities. Explore what is happening and what the child is feeling and experimenting with. Talk to the child and establish positive reinforcement every moment the behavior improves.

Physical symptoms and complaints

Make sure that there is no medical reason for the symptoms. Make sure that the child gets appropriate sleep and exercise, eats well, and drinks the appropriate quantity of water daily. Provide comfort and assurance that he/she is going to be fine soon.

Avoiding sharing their feelings

Allow your child to express and talk about their feelings. Avoid judgments and remain calm. Make your child feel appreciated and loved no matter what they are expressing or feeling.

As expected, new experiences concern some children. So, they need the best support and response from parents, caregivers, and teachers. These concerns are observed in young children, but also in adolescents. The best we can do for them is to be able to listen to what they want to say, understand their feelings and emotions, and be there for them showing support with love, care, and comprehension.

Building resilience in children 

To thrive despite the challenges and changes children face is important to help them to build resilience. According to the American Psychology Association (APA), resilience is the ability to adapt well to trauma, adversity, tragedy, threats, or other sources of stress. It helps children to manage confusion, stress, or feelings that end in anxiety. Nevertheless, resilience does not imply that children won't experience concerns and negative reactions.

APA recommends the following tips to help to build resilience in children and adolescents.

Connect with others

Encourage children and adolescents to connect with their friends through phone calls, video chats, and texts. It's also essential to strengthen family relationships. 

Allow children to help others 

Practice volunteer work and invite your children to assist you in child-appropriate tasks if possible.

Establish a daily routine

Younger children benefit from structure and discipline. Discuss a routine with your children and adolescents to balance time for studies and play and relaxation. It helps greatly in decreasing the feeling of stress and anxiety.

Give them a break

Allow children to be creative teaching them to be focused on something they can control. Encourage children and adolescents to identify solutions to their concerns and listen to them.

Help children develop self-care 

Explain to children the importance of eating well, exercising, and sleeping sufficiently. It's important to take time to do fun activities. Teach them how to make a balance.

Set goals

Encourage children and adolescents to set goals and reach them step by step. Schoolwork can be done when dividing it into small parts.  

Trusting themselves

Help children and adolescents to trust themselves to solve conflicts and make decisions. Validate each time they face challenges and changes appropriately.

Develop a positive perspective

Even if the child is too young help them to see the future with positivism. It helps children to focus on the good things in life and thrive in the hardest times.

View change positively

Even if changes scare children and adolescents, teach them that changes are part of our lives. Help them to establish new goals to replace goals that became unattainable and plan some actions for what is not going well.

Points to remember for parents, caregivers, and educators

  • Identify signs of fear, sadness, pressure, and stress, even if children can not express them using words.
  • Use play and relaxation to help children and adolescents to express their fears and concerns.
  • Assure quality family time to spend with your children.
  • Establish a safe place for children and adolescents to comfort and support them.
  • Talk to them and answers their questions with honesty, 
  • Listen to their concerns and fears with empathy.
  • Reassure that they can count on you and you are going to be there for them.

Your role as a parent, caregiver, and educator is significant

Resilience takes time to develop and each person works through it in a personal way. It means that which works for some, maybe would not work for others. Parents, caregivers, and educators must use their knowledge to guide children and adolescents. These challenges and changes in education set as distance, virtual, and online learning can bring concerns and negative reactions in children and adolescents manifested in different ways in behavior. The role of parents, caregivers, and educators is essential for supporting and helping children and adolescents to manage these feelings and reactions. Following the tips for building resilience helps them to adapt to these challenges and other new changes that may come.

It is important to consider professional help if the child can not improve despite the support and help they are receiving. Professional guidance helps children and adolescents to strengthen their resilience and persevere during stressful times.

Reference

Resilience guide for parents and teachers. (n.d.). https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience-guide-parents

_______________________



Diana A. Rivera is an Early Childhood Educator, with graduate studies in Educational Psychologist, and author of Be the voice for children. Diana believes and commits to the healthy development, growth, well-being, and learning of all children. The blog posts share ideas and knowledge about educational psychology, child and brain development, parenting, diversity, effective teaching practices, early childhood education, and care to support the empowerment of children and families.

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