SCHOOL-GOING children are at risk of being psychologically impacted by long periods of staying home due to the movement-control order (MCO), warned school counsellors and psychologists.

After spending a long time indoors, venturing out of their “safe” home into “an infected outside” could be traumatic for some kids.

Warning that children could suffer stress when going back to school, the experts urged parents to keep an eye on their kids’ behaviour and look out for signs of emotional change and psychological distress.

Psychologist Alice Lee said long periods without interacting with school friends or other children could push some to become introverted.

Lee said some children may develop a fear of leaving the house as they believe doing so puts them at risk of contracting Covid-19.

She said such kids are most susceptible to stress and anxiety.

“Waiting for their parents to pick them up after school could be stressful for them. They could suffer emotional fluctuations and even anxiety.”

If children start to display strange behaviour, like resisting leaving the house, making excuses not to go out or throwing tantrums, parents should not react by losing their own temper, she said.

Lee urged parents to instead assure their children and assuage their fears.

“Many parents might think it’s natural for their children not to want to go back to school after such a long break.

“These are signs parents should pay attention to.”

She recommended that before their return to school, children should be slowly exposed to environments outside their comfort zone.

Parents can do this by taking them out for walks at the park, going window shopping or doing any outdoor activities to assure them that it is safe, she said.

The mother of two said she, too, is practising this with her sons by taking them out for walks.

“My young son, who is a little reserved, needs some encouragement.

“We also explained to them why their body temperature needs to be taken and recorded when we go to places like the supermarket.

“They need to understand the reasons why, and their understanding of the new norm will reduce their fears.”

Some 1.6 billion children and adolescents have been affected by movement restrictions and school closures in 145 countries, according to the United Nations International Children’s Fund.

In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, reports surfaced that children feared being separated from their family and friends, and contracting the virus or even dying of it.

Teacher Kuek Ser Kuang Hong said five months away from school could have a lasting psychological impact on a child.

He said this may be heightened if the child is left alone at home while their parents go to work.

“The absence of having someone to talk to and being cooped up in the house will affect children.”

He said in his experience teaching primary school pupils online during the MCO, they are not as enthusiastic or active as when they are in the classroom.

Dr Yong Suan, a former associate professor of education at Universiti Sains Malaysia, said there is also the risk of short-term emotional impacts on pupils who have had to stay indoors during the MCO, more so for children living in small houses.

Forms five and six students are set to return to school this week, months after education institutions nationwide were closed due to the pandemic. – June 22, 2020.