The COVID-19 outbreak had a profound and abrupt impact on all facets of existence, necessitating children and their families to swiftly modify their routines and embrace new practices to safeguard their health.

Recent studies from the University of Michigan indicate that in spite of these obstacles, young children grasped the justifications behind these unprecedented norms and social behaviors designed to foster public health.

Researchers underscore the significant findings from a sequence of recent investigations regarding children’s reactions to preventive health practices. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a distinctive chance to assess children’s developing analytical skills amid swiftly evolving norms and social behaviors, as stated by Felix Warneken, a professor of psychology at U-M and the primary author of the study.

“Examining how children perceived mask-wearing and other methods for maintaining health during COVID-19 is vital,” he remarked. “It aids us in understanding how to instruct them about health practices in a manner they grasp. Since children make their own choices and frequently engage with peers in unsupervised situations, it’s essential to ensure they comprehend the rationale behind preventive actions.”

Warneken, along with his associate Katherine McAuliffe, an associate professor at Boston College, investigated how children contemplated new health practices. They discovered that even young children evaluate these actions based on what is logical for their well-being and that of others.

“Previously, adults praised children for sharing toys or providing comforting hugs to friends—and suddenly, during a pandemic, these behaviors are entirely contrary to what is advisable,” Warneken explained. “We aimed to determine whether this presents a confusion for kids.”

The researchers queried children regarding their thoughts on actions they should take during a pandemic. Children of school age recognized that, despite good intentions, the only assistance that doesn’t involve direct contact is beneficial.

Their findings further indicated that children view the adoption of health behaviors that shield others from harm as a moral duty.

“When we introduced entirely new health behaviors to children, they predominantly believed individuals should embrace them to safeguard others,” Warneken expressed. “For these young ones, the advantage to the health of others clearly surpasses the personal inconvenience posed by actions like wearing a mask.”

Although children comprehend the reasoning behind new regulations and habits, their families’ and communities’ opinions—particularly in relation to the political climate—can affect their perceptions of these health practices, he added.

The study had certain limitations, such as the children being from middle-class households in the United States, with parents having college education.

“Thus, cultural and national variances in responses to pandemics and how they may shape children’s experiences must also be taken into account,” Warneken noted.

The review article is published in Current Directions in Psychological Science.