Educational disruptions can affect children in a variety of ways, from health care to learning. We will look at a few of the longer-term effects of school closures. For children, disruptions may have negative effects on cognitive tests and learning. In addition, children may be less able to communicate effectively or focus on other tasks due to disruptions. Read on to more about long term effects of educational disruptions.
Impact of school closures on children
School closures are highly disruptive and can negatively affect a child’s emotional well-being. Researchers from 11 countries reviewed 36 studies to determine the impact of school closures on children. They found that students and teachers in the U.S. reported heightened anxiety, depression, and emotional distress during summer 2021. In addition, many parents expressed gratitude for additional free time. Several parents also expressed relief from social anxiety caused by school closures.
Children’s access to healthy food and physical activity can impact when schools are closed. Researchers have explored how school closures impact the nutrition of children. In Italy, for example, lockdowns led to increased consumption of potato chips and sugary beverages among obese children. Furthermore, school closures cut off the free lunch program for up to 30 million children and can reduce their access to free meals.
Impact of school closures on health care
School closures have both economic and epidemiological implications, but how do they affect health care? The effects are mixed, with some studies finding a benefit while others find a negative impact. While school closures may provide some relief from the pressure on the health care system, high absenteeism could also lead to a decrease in health care worker capacity.
Closing schools has many potential side effects, from reducing peak hospital and ICU demand to reducing the number of sick children. However, the trade-off between increased healthcare worker absence and fewer children in school must carefully considered. The potential benefits of school closures should weigh against the negative consequences, such as increased child care costs.
Impact of school closures on learning
During times of crisis, school closures can have a detrimental effect on learning. While most school closures occur due to weather-related issues, other reasons can include disease outbreaks. In addition, prolonged school closures can result in high absenteeism among teachers and students. Researchers have shown that missed learning opportunities can lead to the loss of important knowledge and skills. Missed school days are particularly harmful to children from economically disadvantaged families.
To understand the impact of school closures on learning, we must first understand how school closures affect the physical and psychological well-being of children. Although most studies focus on the transmission of viruses, they do not consider the effects of prolonged school closures. Prolonged school closures disrupt children’s normal functioning, resulting in an acute and chronic stress response.
Impact of school closures on cognitive tests
The impact of school closures on cognitive tests is an ongoing research topic. Children who home-confined for extended periods of time are more likely to have a higher rate of loneliness and indiscipline. Lockdown also interferes with children’s sleep patterns. Lockdowns can result in a shift in daily routines, which can affect children’s ability to regulate emotions and self-control.
However, the evidence mixed. While some studies show that unscheduled school closures have minimal impacts on student performance, other studies show that extended closures have significant negative effects on school performance. This impact is greatest in minority, low-income and younger student populations.
Impact of school closures on households
School closures have a substantial negative impact on the welfare of children, especially disadvantaged children. The effects are far-reaching: a school closure increases the inequality between children, lowers children’s physical and mental health, and reduces intergenerational mobility. As a result, governments should act quickly to counter the effects of school closures.
School closures have many implications for families, especially those who have children with special needs. For example, children with disabilities, mental health issues, and other needs may impact negatively by these closures. In addition, schools closing may increase the geographic disparity in educational attainment.
Watch quick video on COVDI-19 and its long term effects of educational disruptions.
