Colman Noctor: Pandemic leaves its mark on children's development

Lockdowns disrupted many aspects of early childhood

Many of the everyday interactions that progress young children’s development were restricted or absent during the pandemic. Picture: iStock

Teachers in Ireland report significantly more social and emotional issues in children starting junior infants than in previous years. The study authors, Dr Suzanne Egan and Dr Jennifer Pope, from Mary Immaculate College, concluded that many of these difficulties resulted from the pandemic lockdowns around the time these children were born.

Not everyone is convinced, but it’s not uncommon for people to believe that environmental or life events do not affect infants.