How Covid-19 quieted playgrounds and changed childhood forever

In a recent article, BBC unveils that the Covid-19 pandemic didn’t just close schools—it reshaped childhood itself. As playgrounds fell silent and classrooms went virtual, a generation of children faced an unprecedented loss of experiences that experts now warn could leave lasting marks on their development, behavior, and future. What does growing up during Covid-19 really mean for today’s kids?

Five years after Covid-19 began spreading globally and triggering widespread lockdowns, researchers and educators are observing the profound effects the pandemic has had on children’s social, emotional, and physical development.

For preschool teacher Rebekah Underwood in Santa Monica, California, the class of 2025 is noticeably different. The children, aged five to six, appear more physically cautious than pre-pandemic students. "Many kids are not able to roll, not able to jump on two feet, they are very hesitant to climb," she says. Underwood suspects this stems from limited outdoor exploration when these children were toddlers—many were infants when Covid-19 hit.

The abrupt closure of schools worldwide in March 2020 affected 2.2 billion children. With families confined at home and limited outdoor time, typical activities like sports, clubs, and hobbies were replaced by crafts and television. Many children missed milestones such as school dances and graduations. Some students went an entire year without in-person interaction, with the average school closure lasting 5.5 months, and some longer. This disruption, combined with pandemic stress on families, raised concerns about the long-term impact on this generation.

Early childhood experiences are critical, influencing brain development, behavior, and wellbeing. Underwood notes that young children in her classes have struggled with overstimulation—two years ago, music lessons were suspended because the noise overwhelmed many. "Half the class sat outside because they were so overstimulated," she explains. This year, the school has cautiously reintroduced music into the curriculum.

In England, the Born in Covid Year Core Lockdown Effects (Bicycle) study is investigating how lockdowns affected children born during the pandemic. Lucy Henry, a professor of speech and language at City St George's, University of London, states, "We were really concerned during Covid that children were getting a very unusual experience." The study follows groups born before, during, and after lockdowns, assessing language and executive function at age four through simple games testing inhibition and cognitive skills.

While the pandemic’s full impact on children’s behavior, mental health, and education may only become clear over decades, experts agree the challenges faced by this generation are unprecedented and require ongoing attention.

By Naila Huseynova