Originally focused on helping children with learning loss during summer holidays, the team behind DiaryZapp – the children’s digital journal, realized that children are now facing different challenges and wanted to help. We recognise that children are struggling with isolation and lack of routine in uncertain times. We felt that we had a role to play in helping children develop positive well-being habits which will help them through the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

We are not alone in recognizing this need, recent research carried out by Oxford University with parents and carers of children aged 4-10, confirmed increased emotional difficulties, such as feeling unhappy, worried, being clingy and experiencing physical symptoms associated with worry, in children as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

​​​​​Tom Madders, Campaigns Director at YoungMinds, said, ‘This research suggests that many younger children have found it increasingly hard to cope as the lockdown period has gone on, which may be because of loneliness, fears about the coronavirus or a loss of the routines and support that come with school.

Professor Cathy Creswell, Professor of Developmental Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford, and co-leading the study, said, ‘Prioritising the mental health of children and young people throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond is critical.’