Image Description: yellow background with green virus’ behind red lettering that reads “children's perceptions on the pandemic”. There are various drawings by a 4 year old depicting 2 people, one snowman, a mask, and a ball pit. On the bottom, the child also scribbled in black. Link to picture
COVID-19 has impacted everyone in many different ways. As college students, rightfully so, I have heard many people show concern about losing their formative 20s years. But what about children who are experiencing key years to their social, emotional, and cognitive development at home with the looming threat of the pandemic? In this article, through multimedia responses, my friends and I ask questions regarding children's perceptions of the pandemic, their notions of safety, what they do to cope with changes, and what they hope for the future.
I gave the option for children to respond in many different ways, just as long as they remain anonymous. Here you will find recordings put together in a short video as well as a deeper explanation of the article and as you scroll down you will find a drawing and also quotes from written responses that I received.
Preschool/Kindergarten Written Response:
Questions:
Image Description: Screenshot of response reading: 1. She is 5 years old. 2. You have to because there is a virus and if you wear a mask you dont get the virus. 3. Her favorite thing to do is watching Youtube and blowing bubbles and playing with her brothers robots. 4. Eating ice cream makes her feel better. Link to picture
Elementary School Written Responses:
Questions:
Transcription of 6th graders responses: “Lots of ppl are dying and during this time there is lots of protesting. In hospitals they’re running out of space and it’s really bad during this time but at least they’ve made a vaccine. It’s gradually getting better but it’s still bad because there’s Asian hate and racism. Families were having a really hard time because they couldn’t keep their jobs. Some people don’t want to wear masks so it’s getting even worse. I heard dad say there’s conflict between countries because American don’t want to share the vaccine (talking abt the patent). There is also war between America and Israel.”
“I feel safe at home because there is mom and dad that keeps us safe. At school idk how safe it would be”
“I think with friends, it’s not really friends anymore because I don’t have any contact with them, I think it’s just a bit boring and isolating.”
“I think the learning, it’s more difficult that we have to learn at home and focus more. It’s difficult to do on the computer. It’s also hard for the teachers to do their jobs because kids think they can get up and mess around. There’s more regulations now because we have to wash our hands a lot and not be so close to ppl”
“Going to my cousin’s house, we’re gonna have a lot of fun. I’d also want to go to stores, not shopping but just going to stores to buy food and try new things.”
Transcription of 5th grade response (second row): “It’s not safe and if you catch covid you could die. But you can get the vaccine”
“I feel safe at home because some ppl have covid and if I’m home and don’t go to other places I won’t catch covid. I like online school, it’s more easy for me”
“Online or FaceTime, we play games with each other”
“We always have to wash our hands with soap and sanitize and dont touch stuff outside that a lot of other ppl touch. Also online school and we don’t get to go to auntie’s house a lot anymore.”
“I would want to see my cousins and see grandma and auntie. And I want to say hi to my friend because I haven’t seen her in a long time”
Transcription of the 5th grader response (last row): “It’s annoying because of the coronavirus and Covid19. We have to wear hand sanitizer and quarantine. And we do online learning on Microsoft teams.”
“Taking class online because it makes me feel comfortable and safe because of coronavirus.”
“I talk to my friends through online class.”
“I like wearing masks because I know it keeps me and others safe.” Plus comment from sibling doing the interview: “I raised this boy RIIIGHT”
“I’ll just be like “wow! It finally stopped.” I wouldn’t know where I would go because I’m so used to being quarantined.”
As we can tell through the variety of responses, there are diverse experiences that children face during this time. Although this article is specific to the pandemic, I want to bring up a key observation that I noticed.
In the recordings, you can hear the supportive dialogues that the older siblings give to their loved one and it brought me so much joy and hope for our generation. To me, this is what breaking cycles of generational trauma look like. While this article exists to provide us with information of the real life experiences of children during the pandemic, I invite everyone to think about what they can do to support the children in their lives. Personally, I have been reading into the ways that children have often been one of the most oppressed and vulnerable groups in our society, and how adults can become better allies to them. Especially when we are all struggling, I believe that it is imperative that we uplift, support, and give autonomy to the children who create our next generation. Let's be the adults that we wish we had as kids!
