COVID-19 and Children

As K-12 students settle into a new school year, educators and parents are assessing the COVID-19 pandemic's toll on learning and children's mental health. Surveys show that large numbers of children and adolescents felt depressed or stressed last year as they dealt with virtual learning and the loss of after-school activities. The coronavirus placed additional stress on families who lost income, jobs or housing. In the mental health profession, however, the debate continues over just how deeply and for how long the pandemic will affect children. Some educators cite a “COVID slide” — the accumulated academic losses occurring because of the pandemic. Researchers say that children and adolescents who faced academic, health and financial vulnerabilities before the virus hit are especially at risk, and that Black and Latino children are experiencing steeper academic declines than white children. Despite the many challenges, young people say they see positive things about their experiences during the pandemic, such as drawing closer to their family or pursuing a new hobby.