The Effect of Divorce on Early Childhood Development

Divorce can impact young children in a variety of ways.

A divorce is a situation that impacts the entire family, including the children of all ages. It is a stressful situation for everyone involved, and can impact different family members in different ways. A variety of individual circumstances in regards to the divorce can impact early childhood development, including the situation prior to the divorce, the time spent with the parent no longer living in the home and the parents' willingness to discuss the situation openly, among other things, according to an article by North Carolina State University's cooperative extension.

Impact on Infants

While infants may be very young, divorce can still have an impact on their psyche and lifestyle. According to the North Carolina State University's Cooperative Extension, infants do not understand conflict, however they are very aware of changes in parents' moods. This may cause them loss of appetite, and parents may even see their infants spitting up more than usual.

Impact on Toddlers

The North Carolina State University's Cooperative Extension outlines that toddlers also are impacted by the changes of divorce. Toddlers are aware of the fact that one of their parents no longer lives in the home, but they do not understand why the change has occurred. Toddlers may cry more often in this situation, and also have trouble sleeping. Toddlers also might worry more, and revert to some of their infant behaviors like sucking their thumb. Parents also might notice their toddlers feeling angry or acting withdrawn.

Impact on Preschoolers

Preschoolers also are impacted by divorce, but in different ways. A preschool aged child realizes one parent is absent but does not understand the meaning of divorce or separation. A preschooler may feel responsible and can feel unsure or confused about things to come. While a preschooler also may feel angry like a toddler, the preschool aged child is likely to foster the anger inside. It is not unlike preschoolers to become angry toward the parent that lives in the home, and the preschooler also may experience grief and have more nightmares.

Impact on Elementary Students

It is only when a child reaches early elementary school age that he may begin to understand what divorce is, and subsequently, its consequences. The North Carolina State University's Cooperative Extension states that a child in early school years can even understand that his parents do not love each other as they may have before. Children at this age still hope that their parents will get back together, and often feel deceived and hurt. They also might ignore school or other activities, and often complain of headaches and stomach aches. Children at this age can experience trouble sleeping, loss of appetite and problems going to the bathroom. They often try to create the home life that they had before the divorce.

Parental Strategies

There are several ways parents can attempt to thwart some of the impacts of divorce on their children. In infants, parents can focus on keeping normal routines and remaining calm, cool and collected in front of the baby. For toddlers, parents can spend time alone with the child and focus on keeping the routine that was in place before the divorce. In preschool aged children, parents should encourage the child to talk and also reassure the child repeatedly that he is not responsible for the divorce. For children just entering their school years, it is important that parents encourage the child to discuss his feelings, and be equally open by answering questions the child may have.

References

• North Carolina State University's Cooperative Extension: The Effects of Divorce on Children