With an increasing number of countries issuing ban laws in response to the coronavirus pandemic, more and more people are pursuing self-isolation and social distancing practices to lower the curve. Among the quarantine, implications are to follow the distance learning systems that schools and universities have applied worldwide.
Students’ psychological and behavioural factors are also affected by distance education. As education planners, managers and teachers realize the importance of students’ psychological factors and their impact on academic achievement.
Many reasons can lead to academic failure, the most important of which is the student’s psychological state, which may occur because of the student’s social conditions, poor economic conditions surrounding him, or a change in the educational environment or pattern.
As a result, some people may notice an impact on their mental health. “What we are going through raises stress at an unprecedented rate, and children can feel this stress as well,” says a therapist.
For example, after Michigan State University announced on March 11 that all spring semesters would switch to online-only education in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, neuroscience expert Katia Karnopp realized she wouldn’t be alone with mental health issues.
Michigan State University announced on March 11 that all classes would take place online. Accordingly, Katia Karnopp, an expert in neuroscience, realized many mental health problems that many will face in the coming period. Many will share in the case that you have noticed recently. Karnopp started with several courses before the epidemic outbreak but had not completed all of them with its interactive education system.
On June 17, Michigan State University announced that faculty must partially transfer at least 75% of courses online for the fall 2020 semester. After this announcement,
“Having other people to work with and connect with will be beneficial,” Karnope said. “Attending the online class on my own was more stressful than if I was in a personal class, and it made caring for my mental health more difficult.”
Students’ situation may be critical, especially children, and they will be unwell with the continuing epidemic and quarantine imposed on them.
According to a June Gallup poll, nearly 3 in 10 parents said that their children suffer emotional or mental harm due to quarantines, distance education, school and university closures, and a complete cessation of social activities.
“The word ‘unfettered’ is the best way to describe it,” said Michael Rich, associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. “He’s seen a rise in the number of young patients experiencing anxiety and depression during the pandemic.”
What are the signs that a child may have a mental illness?
Dr. Tali Rafif explained on Fox News that in times of stress and intermittent routines, it is normal for people of all ages to experience signs of stress, and for young children, this may include increased crying, nightmares or tantrums.
You may also see children reverting to previously ” overlooked behaviours,” such as thumb sucking or bed-wetting.
You may notice physiological changes in older children and teens, such as changes in sleep or appetite, decreased energy, or increased physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach pain.
Cognitive or intellectual changes are also common and can include forgetfulness and distraction, and some children or teenagers may become more withdrawn or socially isolated.
Finally, heightened concerns about health and the future are also common; Simultaneously, all of these are normal reactions; parents should note their children’s behaviour and notice changes so they can support the adaptation.
The parents will find many psychological effects that affect children as follows:
1. Weak direct interaction and the absence of social spirit
The lack of teacher-student direct interaction makes children tend to isolation. As a result, children have lost the ability to build new friendships or even open helpful conversations with parents, affecting their development and weakening their communication ability.
2. Loss of the practical part
Weak education is limited to the educational side, and the valuable educational role in raising students reduces.
3. Difficulty of expression
Poor communication that the teacher’s inability to evaluate the student’s performance and achievement, difficulty expressing opinions and ideas, limiting creativity, a tendency to isolation and poor communication with others.
The children are getting bored, sitting in front of the computer for long periods, losing academic motivation, and decreasing competitive spirit.
4. The children may get to forget.
Forgetfulness is evident from his inability to focus, slow language development and delayed speech. In addition, it has a strong link with increased attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, high levels of anxiety, lack of sleep and depression in children.
This challenging period can be a difficult test for parents, and there is no choice but to pass it successfully for their children’s mental and mental health. Parents must exercise their roles carefully in this challenging period that everyone is going through. And to try to understand the needs of their children so that they can cross to safety.
Source: | USA Today
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