Refugee kids lose out on joys of childhood

Nearly one in four of the more than 1 million refugees and migrants who have arrived in Europe by sea this year is a child, according to the UN Refugee Agency. 

During the dangerous journeys that refugees and migrants make, children are the most vulnerable to sickness, injury, violence, exploitation, trafficking and death. Children who are living in or displaced by conflict or undertaking perilous journeys often miss out on the elements of a child’s life which have the most positive impact on their well being, such as playing games with their friends or learning in school. 

If young children aren’t given the opportunity to play and be children, they are at a real danger of living in a state of toxic stress, which can cause lasting damage on their development. Small comforts, such as toys, can help children regain a sense of normalcy. 

The early years of a child’s life are the most critical for brain development. These developmental changes are the building blocks of children’s futures, determining their cognitive, emotional and social development, and their capacity to learn. 

Playing with others have been shown to improve health outcomes for children living in difficult circumstances, including lowering anxiety.