How To Help Your Children Ease Back Into Socializing

Things are changing. More and more people are getting vaccinated. Covid cases and deaths have dropped dramatically. To many of us, these are welcome signs that we can begin to ease back into a more social lifestyle. But, for some children, the idea of going back to “normal” can be overwhelming. 

Why are children struggling?

There are several reasons that children may be having difficulty transitioning back to the busy, social lifestyle most of us had before the pandemic. 

Transitions are hard.

After over a year of telling our children that it’s dangerous to be around other people, it can be confusing to encourage them to spend time with friends or engage in group activities. Even though they may cognitively understand that the situation has changed, their body can still retain inflated feelings of anxiety and fear.

The pandemic exasperated mental health issues. 

Since March 2020, there’s been a significant increase in reported youth anxiety, along with greater frustration, boredom, insomnia and inattention. Results of a survey from summer 2020 found that over 45% of adolescents reported symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.

And it’s not just young people who are suffering. Adults have also reported increased symptoms of depression.

Reluctance to socialize

For kids who have spent an entire year either fully or partially learning remotely, the idea of being in person with other children can be overwhelming. Without in person contact, friendships often dissolve or change, which may make kids anxious about re-entering school or summer camp. Kids may also feel insecure about their ability to make new friends after such a long time of limited socialization. 

There are still real risks.

Although the situation continues to improve, the pandemic is not over. COVID is still devastating large portions of the world. Even in the United States, a large portion of the population still remains unvaccinated, many of whom refuse to take covid precautions. Also, the vaccine has not yet been approved for children under 12. And, although it’s a small percentage, there have been cases of fully vaccinated people getting sick and even dying. To add to all of this worry, the variants continue to present threats which scientists still don’t fully understand. No wonder our kids are still worried!

How can we help our kids re-enter the world in a safe way?

The good news is that children are very resilient. Even though they may feel anxious at first about re-entering the world, with safety precautions and guidance, they will find their way back to being more social. Fortunately, there are some things we can do to help ease the transition.

Acknowledge their fears

Actively listening to your child’s worries is crucial to helping them find solutions. However, if you find that they are spending excessive time immersed in their anxieties, set aside a few minutes every day to allow them to speak freely of their worries and then move on to something else. 

Help them regain control

The pandemic took away a lot of the control we have and reminded us that, despite all of our technology and scientific advances, we are still vulnerable to nature and disease. Give your children ways to feel in control again. Remind them that choices like mask wearing, keeping groups small, staying outdoors, and getting vaccinated as soon as possible give them protection, while allowing them to be more social. 

Take small steps

Setting incremental goals can help children feel more in control about facing uncomfortable situations where their initial response may be to avoid. For instance, If your child isn’t ready to spend time with friends indoors, set up a playdate at a park. These first steps can help them start down the path towards more social interactions. 

Remind them of their resiliency

Because the pandemic was so immediate and threatening, the emphasis this last year was on minimizing risks as much as possible. But, the truth is that life is filled with risks. For children who may barely remember the pre-pandemic world, the idea of exposing themselves to any sort of potential harm may seem overwhelming. It’s a good time to remind them that they are strong and resilient. Talk with your kids of other times in their life they experienced hardships that they were able to overcome. Remind them that their bodies are amazing and designed to keep them healthy.

Create a new version of “normal”

The truth is that our lives before the pandemic were often not designed for optimal mental health. Overscheduled children were left with insufficient time for free play or quality interactions with family. As we begin to re-imagine our post-pandemic lives, we have an opportunity to create a more holistic, healthy way of life for our children.

At Afterschool Village, our goal is to promote a culture of sustainability that supports raising healthy children through nurturing their relationship with their community, their peers, their environment, and themselves.   

 We would love to have you join our Afterschool Village family! Check out our summer program which begins on June 14.