Occupational disruption in childhood during the pandemic: reflections on the return to in-person activities

Abstract

The isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to major changes in the daily lives of children due to social distancing and the increased burden on their caregivers. This event is identified as an occupational disruption that interrupts the occupational patterns and roles of children and their families. This reflective essay aims to analyze the consequences of isolation during the pandemic period on the socio-emotional development and participation of children once they return to in-person settings. Among the main reflections that emerge are the stress experienced at the family level, changes in daily routines, and the social, emotional, and sensory consequences. With the return to in-person environments, children are once again exposed to less controlled settings in terms of stimuli, academic demands, and routines they had grown unaccustomed to, which significantly affects social interaction. The essay emphasizes the role of occupational therapy in addressing the developmental challenges children face following an occupational disruption.

Keywords:
Controlled Confinement; Child Development; Social Participation; Family