Parents’ Perception: Early Childhood Social Behaviour During Physical Distancing in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Luluk Ekyana,Nurul Arifiyanti,Mohammad Fauziddin

doi:10.21009/jpud.152.04

Abstract

During physical distancing, children do not meet their peers to play or talk together. Peer relationships have a crucial influence on all child development, especially for social skills or behaviour during early childhood. This study aims to determine changes in children's social behaviour during physical distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research method is a descriptive quantitative study designed with the percentage value was used as a score for measuring the results of parental observations of children concerning the child's social behaviour instrument. Quota sampling (150 parents) was used to reach participants from various cities in Indonesia to see cultural differences. Data on children's social behaviour was obtained using the Preschool and Kindergarten Behaviour Scale (PKBS) tests. The data were then analysed using descriptive statistics. The results show that there are changes in children's social behaviour during physical distancing. Children who are less independent (58.9%) are the biggest decline in social behaviour reported by parents, while the one who changes the least is cleaning up the mess that has been made (38.7%). The implication of the results of this study is that parents should continue to pay attention to their children's social behaviour by providing opportunities for children to interact with peers in the house while still paying attention to health protocols. Keywords: Early Childhood, Social Behaviour, Physical Distancing

Highlights

Physical distancing is an effective way to control the spread of the virus (Koh et al, 2020)
The implication of the results of this study is that parents should continue to pay attention to their children's social behaviour by providing opportunities for children to interact with peers in the house while still paying attention to health protocols
Research conducted in New South Wales found that there was a decrease in physical activity after the government-imposed physical distancing (Munasinghe et al, 2020)

Summary

Introduction

Physical distancing is an effective way to control the spread of the virus (Koh et al, 2020). Research conducted in New South Wales found that there was a decrease in physical activity after the government-imposed physical distancing (Munasinghe et al, 2020). But children experience a decrease in activity. Half of the 345 children in one study reported that they rarely played in parks and public playgrounds during the pandemic (McCormack et al, 2020). Online learning has become a new habit in the education system in Indonesia. This learning program certainly makes it easier for teachers and students. Parents stated that the implementation of online learning during the pandemic was always problematic and full of challenges (Dong et al, 2020). Most teachers and managers of kindergarten institutions reported having difficulty implementing it (Munastiwi & Puryono, 2021)

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Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion