Young Children's Social Play Skills Post Pandemic

Abstract

Mitigation efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic led to children having decreased peer interactions and increased social isolation. There is limited data on the effects social isolation has had on children’s social and play skill development during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed study aims at determining caregivers perceptions of their 36-66 month old child social play skills. For the proposed study, participants will consist of caregivers of young children 36-66 months old. Participants will complete a researcher designed survey containing statements from a functional, highly researched, social emotional and behavioral tool. It is anticipated that the results of this future study will identify gaps in pediatric practice knowledge regarding the impact social isolation has on children and their social play skills and contribute to the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic as a novel context for the development of social skills.