Changes in Learning and Social Interactions from the Covid-19 Pandemic

Started Feb. 15, 2022

Abstract or project description

The purpose of this research project is to analyze the social cognitive neuroscience of children raised during the COVID-19 pandemic through a primary research survey. The survey will be distributed to elementary teachers in the DFW area and will gather information regarding the behavioral changes of students through the last 2 years.

Previous research on this topic has shown that children are, in fact, detrimentally impacted by quarantining during the pandemic and experience problems such as “anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, inattention and sleep disturbance”. However, most studies are categorized as systematic reviews, gathering and organizing data from existing articles rather than primary research. Other research papers focus more deeply on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19, but do not emphasize impacts on children. I hypothesize that elementary school children, particularly those in marginalized communities, have experienced psychosocial ill-effects due to their time without interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. These effects may manifest into signs of learning loss (including lower test scores and lower attention spans), and difficulties in cooperating with peers and teachers. The main purpose of focusing on the pandemic’s effects on children is to highlight the challenges that future generations may face on a social and scientific level. Children currently in elementary school (around ages 5-11) have had to experience their formative years with fear of infection, lack of interaction, and more challenges.