How to Help Young Children Feel Secure in Uncertain Times
Written by Dr. Liz Matheis
It’s been almost two months since we started to quarantine due to COVID 19, and we, as adults, are pretty spent. Our children – especially younger ones – continue to be baffled by what is happening and why they can’t go to school, see their friends or their grandparents, cousins, or go to the store. Their little lives have been changed dramatically, and this change took place rather quickly.
Many of us adults didn’t think this would last this long and that we would return to ‘life as usual’ sooner than later. However, that’s not the case and you may be noticing that your toddlers and young children are sad, angry or becoming increasingly anxious in these uncertain times.
You may be noticing the following behaviors
- Inflexibility – e.g., “I want the red cup!” and no other cup will do
- Tearfulness over things that didn’t create tears before quarantine
- A greater number of meltdowns over “small” things
- Physically clinging to Mom or Dad
- Becoming anxious if Mom or Dad leave the room
- Hitting
- Biting
- Regression in potty training
- Middle of the night wake visits