The COVID-19 pandemic not only shifted how humans utilize and interact with technology, but it changed the way that we all communicate and celebrate relationships with one another at large. A recent study of trends in children’s mental health showed that children have a tough time expressing their emotions and grief from the changes that have occurred within the last few years.
Children’s physical, mental, and social development is dependent upon their caregivers, friends, schooling, routines, and their interactions with the outside world around them. The pandemic put a pause on children’s abilities to participate in socialization, and dramatically shifted their emotional development, education, and daily school routines. With this information in mind, there are many different interventions that can be utilized to aid children in development, processing grief, and helping children develop a deeper social awareness within themselves.
One form of therapy that is very powerful and effective for children is Child Play Therapy, which involves different play and developmental techniques. It allows children to further develop emotional awareness within themselves and others, and it also helps children develop problem-solving skills. According to this guide from the Association for Play Therapy, “it helps children to address and resolve their own problems…. it builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them.”
There may be some signs that your child is still adjusting from developmental milestones they missed during the pandemic. Or, they could be grieving a separate loss.
Here are some “normal” processes that can be seen in grieving children:
Here are some worrisome symptoms or behaviors that show up in grieving children:
It can be so challenging when we are experiencing our own grief to allow our children enough space to experience theirs. They may not grieve in the way we want them to. Let them express their feelings. If, however, you notice that some distressing behaviors are not getting better with time, or are developing into a state where your child has an unusually long or strong reaction to a single event, consider play therapy as an accessible, safe, interpersonal way to help children work through their feelings.
Learn more about my approach to children’s therapy, meet our specialists at Lifeologie Counseling Midlothian, or request an appointment to help your child process their emotions and learn the tools to become resilient and build healthy relationships with you and others in the unpredictable world.