How COVID-19 Changed Children’s Behavior in School—and What Parents Can Do About It

Over the past few years, many parents have noticed something unsettling: school just isn’t the same for their children anymore.

Teachers are reporting more behavioral challenges. Kids are struggling to focus. Emotional outbursts seem more common. And for many families, mornings before school have become a daily battle.

While every child is different, one major factor has reshaped the classroom experience for nearly all of them: the impact of COVID-19.

What Changed for Kids During the Pandemic?

For children, especially younger ones, the pandemic disrupted critical stages of development. Schools closed. Social interactions were limited. Routines disappeared.

These disruptions affected several key areas:

• Social development – Kids missed out on learning how to interact, share, and resolve conflict with peers
• Emotional regulation – Increased stress, uncertainty, and isolation made it harder for children to manage feelings
• Structure and routine – Many children lost the consistency that helps them feel safe and focused
• Academic confidence – Gaps in learning have led to frustration and avoidance behaviors

Now that schools are fully open again, many children are expected to “pick up where they left off.” But development doesn’t work that way.

What Parents and Teachers Are Seeing Now

In schools today, we’re seeing:

• Increased defiance and oppositional behavior
• More frequent anxiety and school avoidance
• Difficulty with attention and impulse control
• Struggles with peer relationships
• Emotional outbursts that seem disproportionate to the situation

For some children, these challenges may look like ADHD, anxiety, or behavioral disorders—but often, they are rooted in unresolved stress and disrupted development.

Why Traditional Discipline Often Doesn’t Work

Many parents try to respond with consequences, reasoning, or repeated instructions. But if a child’s brain is overwhelmed, these approaches can backfire.

When kids are dysregulated, they’re not choosing to misbehave—they’re lacking the tools to cope in the moment.

That’s why approaches focused only on discipline often lead to:

• More arguments
• Power struggles
• Increased frustration for both parent and child

A Different Approach: Teaching Regulation and Connection

Instead of asking, “How do I stop this behavior?” a more helpful question is:

“What is my child struggling with—and how can I help them handle it better?”

Children benefit from:

• Clear, consistent structure at home
• Calm, predictable responses from parents
• Skills for managing frustration and anxiety
• Support rebuilding social confidence

Sometimes, though, families need additional guidance to break patterns that have become entrenched.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your child is experiencing ongoing difficulties at school—such as frequent behavioral issues, anxiety, or academic struggles—it may be time to get support.

Working with a therapist can help:

• Identify underlying causes of behavior
• Teach children practical coping skills
• Help parents respond more effectively
• Improve communication between home and school

Supporting Your Child Moving Forward

The effects of COVID-19 didn’t end when schools reopened. For many children, we’re still seeing the ripple effects today.

The good news is that kids are resilient—and with the right support, they can regain confidence, improve behavior, and succeed both academically and socially.

If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior at school or at home, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

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About Dr. Ray Levy & Associates

Dr. Ray Levy & Associates works with children, adolescents, and families to address behavioral challenges, emotional regulation, and parent-child conflict. With a focus on practical, results-driven strategies, Dr. Levy helps families create lasting change both at home and in school environments.