Managing social isolation in lockdown

With families being thrust back into lockdown during the school holidays and now being in the midst of At Home Learning, there have been and are many challenges to face and overcome. Juggling the management of your daughter’s learning from home with your own commitments and those of other family members certainly is no easy feat! We thank you for your continued efforts and support.

In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges to overcome during this pandemic is the significant decrease in real human interaction. Outside our immediate families, it is likely that we are interacting very little with other people in a face-to-face capacity. This social isolation impacts us all, but the impact for children can be significant.

After last year’s series of lockdowns around the world, researchers in the UK reviewed a large number of studies to explore how social isolation could impact the mental health of previously healthy children. The review discovered that social isolation did have a negative impact on the wellbeing of children, with there being an increase in the risk of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety with the effects potentially lasting long after the lockdown is over. (Shalberg, P. & Goldfield, S., Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 2020). 

Whilst technology is a wonderful way to stay connected to family members and friends outside your household, it is important to be mindful of the amount of additional screen time your daughter is exposed to on top of her school day. So, what can you do to minimise the effects of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown other than jumping on another Zoom or FaceTime?  

1. Get outside!

Playing in natural environments such as gardens, parks, beaches or a quiet neighbourhood street is a simple yet powerful way to positively impact a child’s wellbeing. Outdoor play promotes health benefits including cognitive, social and emotional development. So, encourage your daughter to get outside during break times and before and after the school day. Allow them to play, explore, discover, create and challenge themselves. You don’t need to plan structured games or activities, let nature do the talking!

2. Make time for play together

I am almost certain that all SCEGGS Primary girls are missing their daily playtimes with her friends at school greatly! And the health impacts of decreased play and interaction can be detrimental too. We know time is tight but a precious gift you can give your daughter is to make time to play with her each day. Take this time seriously, switch off from your devices and give them your full attention. This will show her you also value this time and the positive effects it has on wellbeing and learning. Teach her a new game of cards, build a fort, engage in a game or activity she enjoys using her toys, or if you’re feeling brave, bust a move together with a “Just Dance”!

3. Exercise together

We are all aware of the physical and mental health benefits of keeping active. Consider how you can structure your day to “hit two nails on the head” by exercising and connecting with your daughter in one! Heading outside to throw a ball around, having running races, going for a bike ride or doing some yoga together are just some simple ways to achieve this goal.

4. Practice gratitude

Whilst it may be easy to get stuck in a negative spiral at the moment, try your best to take time each day to stop and name something you are grateful for. There is extensive research that shows that practising daily gratitude has significant health benefits and it is something that is so easy to do! You and your daughter may like to write down three things that went well each day, or do “5 Finger Gratitude” where you name one thing you’re grateful for for each finger. Maybe you’ll even get to 10 one day!

5. Set clear guidelines for technology

It is more important than ever to discuss safe and responsible use of devices and digital media. This may involve having agreements regarding time limits of screen time outside of the school day, dedicating times within your day where the whole family “unplugs” such as creating a ritual around meals. This is a great way to connect and hear about each other’s day without the distraction of devices. For more information on how to effectively manage screen time, see the Parent Resources from the eSafety Commissioner.

All the Primary teachers are working together to ensure your daughters feel as connected as possible to each other and the school community during this period. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have concerns regarding your daughter’s wellbeing or would like to discuss ways in which you can boost wellbeing in your home environment. We’re missing the girls’ energy and smiling faces around school greatly and can’t wait to have them safely back on campus once restrictions allow.

Sarah Johnstone
Deputy Head of Primary (Student Wellbeing)