Social anxiety and separation anxiety common after-effects of pandemic on new school starters

Social anxiety and separation anxiety common after-effects of pandemic on new school starters

- ‘Covid babies’ born prior to or during the pandemic prepare to start school ‘physically’ for the first time

- Priory Wellbeing Centre in Dubai offers recommendations to help with school transition

- Parents urged to be aware of warning signs: bed-wetting, clinginess and crying spells

With the new academic school year looming, social anxiety and separation anxiety is set to be a common feature among those children born just before or during the recent pandemic, according to a leading UAE psychologist. Parents are being urged to look our for the signs and take steps to help ensure their child’s transition into education in early September is a smooth one.

Dr Anthony Nhlapo, Clinical Psychologist at Priory Wellbeing Centre, Dubai, says: “Every parent wants their child to have a wonderful experience when they start nursery or school for the first time. The pandemic, however, has shattered this opportunity for many young children and for those starting in September, many are unlikely to remember a time before Covid.

“I have witnessed an increase in underdeveloped social skills and separation anxiety among young children as a direct consequence of the pandemic and its associated restrictions. This will definitely impact negatively on their ability to adjust to any