Perspectives on the essential needs of children in early childhood in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective Identify scientific knowledge regarding the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood, specifically from the perspective of children’s essential needs. Method An integrative literature review was conducted on five databases. The review process involved identifying a research problem, creating a guiding question, performing a literature search, analyzing data, and synthesizing the results. The review included original articles about children under six, published between 2020 and 2022. The theoretical framework of the child’s essential needs was used for analysis. Results A total of 22 articles were analyzed. Findings indicated an increase in parental overload and stress levels. The children exhibited behavioral changes, sleep pattern disorders, increased digital media use, and reduced outdoor participation. Protective factors related to the familial bond, child care, and child reception were identified. Closure of daycare centers and schools resulted in a distance between the caregiver, the education professionals, and the fellow parents. In contrast, the reopening of those places brought added support to families. The needs, such as ongoing supportive relationships, developmentally appropriate experiences, and supportive communities, were more highlighted. Physical protection and setting boundaries were less prominent aspects. No experiences examining individual differences were identified. Conclusion The scientific knowledge points to significant vulnerabilities and certain potentialities in child health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those results suggest considerable impacts on child well-being and development and imply significant implications for nursing practices in Primary Health Care.