College Honors Program

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child Development

Date of Creation

5-31-2023

Document Type

Campus Access Only

First Advisor

Danuta Bukatko

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic was a transformative event that disrupted people’s daily lives and routines. While children are less likely to be physically impacted by the coronavirus, they face greater developmental risks compared to older adults as they are in the midst of growth and significant life transitions. This paper aims to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on child development through multiple facets of their daily lives. Evidence would be drawn from empirical research conducted during the pandemic to investigate children below the age of 18. Specifically, this paper will examine the impact of the pandemic on children through four key areas: physical health, mental health, socioemotional competencies, and academic achievement (including cognitive skills). In addition, the paper will draw connections from past disasters to explore how a life-changing crisis can affect children’s long-term development and examine evidence-based interventions utilized for past disasters. Finally, a more comprehensive discussion about children’s developmental consequences will be analyzed via Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, Life Course Theory, and the theme of Risk or Resilience. The insights gained from this study can inform policymaking, practices, and future research aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the pandemic on children’s development.

Comments

Reader 1: Lauran Bryant Reader 2: Noah Berman

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