Spotlight on Pandemic Tots

Written on the 19 September 2021 by Jackie Sinnerton

CHILDREN who know nothing of life before the pandemic have behavioural patterns that would not have been seen pre Covid and they are not all bad.

Childcare workers have witnessed a significant shift in how the tiny Queenslanders in their care play, how they react to disappointment and even how they handle separation from parents.

Lucy Schweizer Cook, a veteran childcare educator who runs several early learning centres throughout the state, said children seem to be more resilient and more flexible as they have experienced many special occasions like birthday parties being cancelled due to snap lockdowns.

"The kids are aware that there is no guarantee that every event will actually go ahead, and things happen very last minute. Rather than fall in a heap in tears they suck it up," Ms Schweizer Cook said.

Centre workers have also noticed a change in children's play. When playing doctors they will wear masks and pretend to give shots in the arm.