Isolated children are at risk of mental health problems

YOUNG children isolated from friends during the pandemic may be at greater risk of mental health problems, after a study found that pre-school play is vital for emotional stability.

Research by Cambridge University, published in Child Psychiatry & Human Development, showed that children who learned to play well with others before school – aged three – tended to enjoy better mental health at the age of seven.

They were found to have lower hyperactivity, while parents and teachers reported fewer conduct and emotional problems. Youngsters who played well were also less likely to get into fights or disagreements with other children.

The findings are the first to provide clear evidence that “peer play ability” has a protective effect on mental health.

During the pandemic, youngsters were kept away from nursery groups and friends, potentially stifling an important learning experience.

Dr Jenny Gibson, from Cambridge University, said: “Because the link between peer play and mental health has only just been established, we don’t yet know how quickly children will recover from those lost opportunities now that they are socialising more again.”