The surprising way the pandemic has changed Australian kids

Monday, December 20, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic may have hit many of our kids hard, but it’s also had some  surprising positives, according to World Vision.
New research by the humanitarian organisation has found the post -pandemic kids take less for granted, are more  grateful and are more globally aware, with their parents driven to help others in the lead-up to Christmas.
The survey of more than 1000 nationwide found more than 60 per cent of parents believe their children are more  thankful for what they have and nearly half (45 per cent) feel their children have a heightened awareness of global issues.
Heart-warmingly, it appears that in spite of experiencing the nation’s longest lockdowns, children in Victoria and NSW have emerged as some of the most grateful in the country (60 and 62 per cent). 
World Vision Australia CEO Daniel Wordsworth said it was "wonderful" to see some positive outcomes from the pandemic for children – a group which, arguably, was hit disproportionately hard by lockdowns.
“We know children have done it particularly tough during the pandemic – cut off from friends, family and school  communities, many for months on end - so it’s wonderful to see that they have taken away a few positives from the 
experience,” Daniel said.
“For the first time in living memory, people have been globally united in the suffering caused by COVID-19 – and this research confirms children in Australia becoming more conscious of those less fortunate, whether that’s in their own  community or overseas.
“They are also more grateful for the blessings in their own lives. This is a beautiful thing, as we know a caring, thankful child becomes a caring, generous adult.”
The survey also found:
• A majority of Australians want to help others this year at Christmas, with 55 per cent planning to do  something for others. Planned activities range from donating clothes and food, to buying charity Christmas 
cards and gifts
• Parents are more likely to set an example by planning to help, with more than six in 10 planning to help
• 70 per cent of Australians say the thing they are most looking forward to this festive season is being reunited with their friends and family
• 36 per cent of Australian children are aware of the community/neighbourhood they are a part of
• Despite many parents having had to play the dual role of parent and teacher this year more than half (54 per cent) hope to spend more time with their children in 2022

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