The global Covid-19 pandemic had a deep effect on everyone including children. It hindered the normal lives of children because of the restrictions set by the government to contain the spread of the virus. School closures had a bad effect on them. They had also difficulties like eating nutritious foods and accessing proper health care due to the loss of parents’ employment. Their social life and recreation have also been affected. The worst effect was on the psychological aspect. The grief they felt when they lost their loved ones is not a joke.
The suspension of face-to-face interaction due to school closures has led to poor learning for children. The teachers couldn’t explain the lessons like before and not all parents are capable to teach their children. The children suffered and had difficulties on learning not just by limited support from parents and teachers but also due to lack of gadgets and poor internet connection especially to indigent families living in rural areas. There was also limited health care because most hospitals were full of Covid-19 patients and they need to be isolated. Hospitals had also set limits regarding the entry of patients especially the vulnerable ones like children and old people to prevent them from being infected. There was also malnutrition. Due to the loss of employment of parents especially the poor, they couldn’t able to provide nutritious foods for their children. The immune system of the children was also jeopardized because they couldn’t take the proper nutrients and vitamins needed by their bodies to protect them from illnesses. Their social life was also affected due to lockdowns and restrictions. Aside from not going to school, they couldn’t play anymore with their friends and peers due to social distancing and the rule of staying at home. Instead, they indulged in using gadgets not only for their education but on playing online games and that’s not beneficial to them. Their sleeping habits had also changed. Parents' care for their children is also affected when they get sick and isolated. If they die, the children suffer. They’ll experience grief due to separation and loss that may affect their psychological or mental health. They may experience violence from other people. Children may also get infected due to a lack of guidance and negligence of family members. They might also be infected because of their weak immune system. The worst is, they might die due to limited health care and lack of resources financially. In short, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on children are destructive.
Therefore, we should do our best
to protect the children from Covid-19 and its effects on them. First, we should
start on the basics like teaching them to wash their hands frequently, wear
masks and face shields when they go out. Tell them to do social distancing and
stay at home as much as possible. They should eat nutritious foods so that
their immune system will boost up. They should cover their mouth if they cough
and sneeze. Teach them the proper time management of using gadgets so that
they’ll not get addicted that can change their sleeping habits and also impair
their vision. Parents should dedicate time to teach them their modules and
virtual school activities. They should feel the presence and support so that
they will not totally feel the absence of face-to-face interaction in school.
However, the teachers may also find a way to reach out to their students like
online classes. There should also be a healthy family bonding so that even though their social life during the pandemic is affected, they will still feel the happiness
of companionship. The government should also provide proper health care for
children during pandemics. When separation or loss happens because parents died,
other family members and relatives should show not only financial support but
also emotional. Show them the love and care they need. Lastly, family members
who can get vaccinated to be protected and lessen the risk of infection.
Bloomberg. "Weak Internet Faced by 31% of Philippine Home Schoolers: Poll" retrieved from: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-06/weak-internet-faced-by-31-of-philippine-home-schoolers-poll
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