Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Social/Emotional Development of Children and Adolescents

Abstract

This research explores the social/emotional and mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown and remote schooling policies on children and adolescents. Research from around the world regarding students from preschool to high school was examined. Four themes were identified: general impacts of the pandemic on all students, differences in the impacts based on the age of the students, patterns pertaining to socioeconomic status, and the ramifications for students with disabilities. The paper goes on to examine how practices at a specific action site (a Title 1 school in Western Washington) could be aligned with recommendations made in the research, and then explores implications for future research and transformed practice in the schools.