Thread

When schools close for prolonged periods, children are deprived of learning experiences during sensitive periods of development. Sensitive periods are developmental windows of heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli, during which certain experiences are required.

Multiple sensitive periods exist for motor, sensory, language and social development. Once a sensitive period is over, it is harder (sometimes not possible) to relearn the skill in question. Missing out on educational and social experiences during sensitive periods *is a risk*.

If it is not deemed safe for schools to open now, everything needs to be done to support schools to reopen as soon as possible (in my view). This might require including teachers and school staff on the priority list for vaccination, shutting other parts of society, funding.