How are our children doing?
This is the question being explored by Children’s Parliament. Since the start of the lockdown we have been engaging children aged eight to 14 in a conversation about their experiences of the virus and of lockdown. From questions and worries, to learning at home, to family and peer relationships, to health and wellbeing, children have been responding in large numbers to a monthly wellbeing survey. Now, in June 2020, the 3rd monthly survey has been launched and a report on the findings from April and May has been published.
What are we finding so far? When it comes to learning at home, and as time passes, children are reporting less choice and a declining sense of fun or pride in work and increased levels of boredom. Meanwhile they are increasingly worried about doing schoolwork and learning at home. Older children, 12 to 14 years old, are less likely to see learning at home positively. Of real concern is that children are indicating a decline in mental wellbeing; fewer generally feel cheerful and in a good mood and they have less energy. Children are increasingly feeling lonely and less sure that in difficult times they will be okay; this is particularly true for girls, and especially for girls aged 12 to 14. On the positive side the best support children can draw on is identified as their parents and carers.
In Scotland, we are now preparing for incorporation of the UNCRC. Our Government is committed to maintaining the timetable set for that, even in current circumstance. But our survey tells us that children report increasing difficulty in accessing information, expressing their opinions and feeling that they experience their rights. All in all these are difficult times for everyone, but we must give our attention to the lived experience of our children and ensure that we do not only mitigate those worrying trends in health and wellbeing but attend to their basic human rights.
Help get children involved in our June survey: bit.ly/Coronavirus_Kids
Recent news
- End Child Poverty coalition in Scotland call on First Minister to provide additional help for families
- 3.6 million children under 16 are living in poverty
- Time for Parents
- Scottish families in debt as they try to keep up with school meal payments
- Next steps on the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill
- Foodbanks struggling with increased demand
- One Parent Families Scotland call for a full review of the Child Maintenance System
- Nearly half of people referred to food banks are in debt to the government
- Almost half of parents find it harder to pay for essentials
- Will the new Online Safety Bill work for children?
Also in this issue
Other articles published in June 2020 newsletter.
- Wellbeing Learning Resource for Children and Young People
- It’s all about relationships – new film
- What actually is ADHD? Giving facts and support to families
- Policy update June 2020
- Lone mothers’ employment and their children’s well-being
- Lives in lockdown
- Parents’ organisation, Connect, has just launched its latest survey