Why kids are suffering all kinds of lockdown anxiety

New university study about child mental health

A new study has shown the negative effects of lockdown on primary school children in all kinds of ways.

The research from the University of Oxford has revealed that primary school children are displaying more signs of emotional and mental health problems during the enforced confinement in their homes.

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The study of 10,000 parents and carers revealed that more children aged four to ten are becoming more clingy in lockdown, as well as demonstrating behavioural problems such as tantrums and arguments.

Help is at hand

Keiron Sparrowhawk is a neuroscientist and developer of an NHS-approved app called MyCognition, that is actively helping more than 15,000 children in the UK through the COVID-19 crisis - by helping them to improve their mental health through daily cognitive training.

Keiron Sparrowhawk said: “The Oxford results are to be expected. The worries, the additional stress, of COVID-19 will be enough to push some children beyond their stress threshold, which, if prolonged, will result in poorer behaviour, poor academic potential, poor mental health and social isolation.

This will be particularly evident on children who were already predisposed to poor health, and those children who were most vulnerable in society, so it’s very important that parents and teachers act now to prevent this.

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“So many children are struggling to access the mental health support they need right now and, crucially, the app MyCognition ED can be used by those on lockdown who are socially isolating, wherever they are.

“MyCognition ED allows a child’s cognition and mental health to be monitored and enhanced. The data collected can be shared confidentially with their health practitioner and wellbeing coach - most of whom are now working digitally rather than face-to-face. Reports can be made available to their parents and teachers can be fully involved as well. Then, automatically as a first line of intervention in stepped care, the child can undertake daily ‘AquaSnap’ training, using a scientifically designed video game, to enhance their mental resilience. It is proving critical in this time where children and their parents may feel anxious, worried and insecure about the future.

The comprehensive approach through MyCognition ED enables mental health professionals to continue their work, leverage their healing skills and help more people. They become more efficient and overall more effective using MyCognition ED.”

Giving hope to children in isolation

When used for just 15 minutes per day as an active daily meditation, AquaSnap optimises a child’s cognitive health. AquaSnap creates a personalised training programme for children that has remarkable results, strengthening mental resilience, improving their health, helping their ability to self-regulate, adapt their behaviour and, importantly, engage more productively in their school work.

Success with initial results

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It has been used across the north west of England for the past 18 months with great results. The percentage of children with poor cognitive fitness dropped from 34 per cent to 18 per cent, while higher levels of cognitive fitness increased from 13 per cent to 39 per cent.

Significant cognitive improvements were reported after a term of regular training, with benefits maintained still one year later. It’s been used internationally with equally good results. It is used in a clinic in Canada to treat children suffering from PTSD.

MyCognition is an award-winning science-based company that is dedicated to understanding and improving cognitive fitness.

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