WHY WE SHOULD OPEN OUR SCHOOLS NOW

Dr. Wendy Ghiora

March 5, 2021

Blog #137

By the age of six, children have been developing "more than one million neural connections each second and trillions of neural pathways every 24 hours". During this time, children are also developing their ability to pay attention, expand their language skills and learn how to get along with others.

The physical activity involved when playing with other children allows them to learn how to use both sides of their body (cross-lateral development). Children who  cannot engage in playing with their peers are more likely to suffer from anxiety.  According to researchers at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, "students that have been active in play early on have improved academic performance, college completion, earnings, richer relationships, and good mental and physical health."

Science tells us young children are the least likely to contract the COVID-19 virus. The CDC, as of September 30, 2020, "Students age 1-4 years old have experienced 15 deaths nationwide involving COVID-19 compared to 2,233 nationwide in that age group from all causes. Students age 5-14 have experienced 32 deaths from COVID-19 compared to 3,476 deaths nationwide in that age group from all causes."

The American Association of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that schools reopen, noting the social, emotional, behavioral and academic harm of schools remaining closed.  School closures have resulted in an increase in the number of students experiencing some level of depression. Recent CDC data found that one in five teens across America has seriously considered suicide. Regular engagement with peers and teachers in a structured learning model with daily routines is a proven method to support student's social and emotional challenges.

According to Mark Woolhouse, an epidemiologist at the University of Edinburgh, who has studied K-12 schools opening in European countries last spring, "It is extremely difficult to find any instance in the world of a child (under 15) transmitting COVID-19 to a teacher in a school."  

According to the aforementioned Harvard Study, the inherent risk of contracting the virus is recognized; however, the risk of postponing developmental activities for our children and the long-term consequences that could harm that generation. Health professionals and scientists are also weighing the risks and have arrived at the conclusion we need to send our students to school for face-to-face instruction because it is the right thing to do,