The Effects of the Pandemic on Children’s School Performance

A summary of the main effects of the pandemic on the academic performance of children.

The coronavirus crisis has a great capacity to affect us psychologically in many aspects of our lives, and this is also true for children.

Although schools have made an effort to adapt to the pandemic context in a relatively short time, it should not be forgotten that, in the same way, children find themselves in the need to adapt to the pandemic context in a relatively short time, children need to adapt to everything that is happening in the world.. In their case, moreover, they do so at a key stage of life for their present and future development.

In this article we will review the different aspects in which the COVID-19 crisis can affect the school performance of boys and girls, and what can be done about it.

What elements of the pandemic affect the school performance of little ones?

Each case is unique, and it is perfectly normal to encounter cases of little ones who adapt well to the transition to online classes. However, many others many others will find it difficult to continue to make the most of the classes, or even to avoid the anxiety and stress generated by this type of teaching. and stress generated by this type of teaching will have taken its toll on their emotional balance.

In this regard, the following ways in which the coronavirus pandemic can affect the school performance of children stand out.

1. Increased distractions

Children are more likely to have trouble concentrating on a task, especially if it requires exertion.especially if it requires cognitive effort.

In this sense, in some cases distance classes can become a difficult experience for many, since being at home the little ones are exposed to distracting elements such as the smartphone, a nearby TV, the window... The teacher will have some added difficulties to know if all the students are attending, since he/she does not have a complete view of the context surrounding each child.

2. Stress produced by problems at home

The pandemic does not occur in a vacuum: this phenomenon has had a social impact that goes beyond the psychological effects it produces on each individual separately..

In fact, in difficult times such as these, problems of coexistence are more likely to intensify due to the psychological wear and tear generated by a more unpredictable environment with greater limitations (health restrictions, difficulties in finding work, etc.), making people more vulnerable to anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Naturally, children cannot experience schooling separately from what is happening at homeThis is reflected both in their ability to learn during classes and in their grades.

3. Uncertainty about the future

The coronavirus crisis has come hand in hand with the phenomenon of uncertainty: many things we took for granted about the social and economic reality in which we live are no longer so certain. This can take the form of anxiety problems capable of affecting not only adults but also children, either directly or by "emotional contagion" through the elderly..

4. Alterations in the way they socialize with other children in the classroom

The possibility of playing and interacting with classmates is part of the experience of going to school, and in many cases is one of the main attractions offered by schools. Deprived of this source of motivation, some children may become discouraged and find themselves in a situation where and find themselves in a situation where they see no point in "going to class" online.

5. Self-esteem problems resulting from all of the above

Problems adapting to this new context of schooling can lead children to develop self-esteem problems. For example, seeing their grades drop significantly in a matter of a few months even though they don't notice that they are trying less hard can be very hard to watch, especially if they don't understand why.especially if they don't understand why.

What to do?

Psychological therapy can help to greatly improve the performance and grades of students, because it allows them to develop various skills that are reflected both in a better study routine and ability to learn, as well as in a greater ability to manage the stress associated with exams.

In this sense, psychotherapy acts in these ways:

• Learning techniques to regulate anxiety
• Development of self-motivation skills
• Internalization of routines and habits that favor mental health in general.
• Training in time management skills and study resources.
• Management of rest periods
• Learning techniques to concentrate on tasks
• Learning social skills and relationship management skills.
• Questioning of beliefs that damage self-esteem.
• If necessary, family sessions to address cohabitation problems.

Do you want professional psychological support?

If you are looking for psychotherapy services that are perfectly adapted to this context of economic and health crisis caused by the pandemic, contact our team of psychologists. At Psychology 360 we specialize in online psychological therapy via video call, offering an accessible, affordable and easy to use option.

Bibliographical references:

• Anderson, E.C.; Carleton, R.N.; Diefenbach, M.; Han, P.K.J. (2019). The Relationship Between Uncertainty and Affect. Frontiers in Psychology, 10: 2504.
• Dickson, K.; Ciesla, J.A.; Reilly, L.C. (2011). Rumination, worry, cognitive avoidance, and behavioral avoidance: Examination of temporal effects. Behavior Therapy, 43(3): pp. 937 - 959.
• Kasper, S.; Boer, J.A. & Sitsen, J.M.A. (2003). Handbook of depression and anxiety (2nd ed.). Nueva York: M. Dekker.