These children, now in school, are grappling with challenges in fine motor skills, such as pencil-holding, and social skills, including interaction with peers and expressing their needs. The pandemic's disruption of their early development is evident, with the absence of adult interaction, limited play with peers, and increased screen time taking a toll.
According to the Daily Caller, the pandemic's impact on early childhood development is a concern shared by educators, pediatricians, and early childhood experts. David Feldman, a kindergarten teacher in Florida, shared his experience with The New York Times, stating, “I spent a long time just teaching kids to sit on the carpet for one book. That’s something I didn’t need to do before.” This highlights the considerable shift in the learning curve for these children, who are struggling to adapt to what was once considered basic classroom behavior.
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The pandemic's effects extend beyond academic skills, with some preschoolers struggling to manage their emotions, resorting to violent behaviors such as throwing objects and hitting others. "We are talking 4- and 5-year-olds who are throwing chairs, biting, hitting, without the self-regulation,” Tommy Sheridan, deputy director of National Head Start Association, told the outlet. This underscores the urgent need for interventions to address these behavioral issues, which are likely a manifestation of the stress and disruption caused by the pandemic.
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Physical strength is another area of concern. Sarrah Hovis, a Michigan preschool teacher, noted that some children struggle with tasks as simple as opening a bag of chips. She attributes this to the increased screen time at home, stating, “They don’t have the muscle strength because everything they are doing at home is screen time. They are just swiping.” This observation is echoed by Michaela Frederick, a pre-K teacher in Tennessee, who had to replace smaller building materials with larger, soft blocks to accommodate the children's diminished physical capabilities.
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The pandemic's impact is not limited to the youngest learners. Older children also faced setbacks as schools transitioned to online learning. The New York Times previously reported that elementary school students who engaged in virtual learning fell behind by more than half a year in math.
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Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. A U.S. Department of Education spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation, “If the pandemic was the break in the dam, it has been plugged, and we are seeing the reservoir of learning fill back up. While we’re not where we need to be, the investments of the American Rescue Plan, the Administration’s clear guidance and strong implementation, and the heroic efforts of America’s educators have helped us turn the corner.”
