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91ƵI hope the world heals91Ƶ: B.C. preschoolers offer wisdom on pandemic

Children in Slocan and South Slocan were asked how they are feeling
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Kids at South Slocan91Ƶs Wee Ones Preschool and Daycare and Slocan91Ƶs Valhalla Children91Ƶs Centre were asked to draw pictures showing how they feel about COVID-19.

Submitted by Natalie Lucas

Wee Ones Preschool and Daycare

South Slocan91Ƶs Wee Ones Preschool and Daycare and Slocan91Ƶs Valhalla Children91Ƶs Centre have been shut down indefinitely. How are the children feeling about this? They can91Ƶt see their friends. They have to stay home, day after day.

Before the closures, some of the children already heard about 91Ƶa really bad sickness that was making many people sick91Ƶ in China. Now the 91Ƶsickness91Ƶ was here.

Maybe some parents would have a difficult time talking to their children about the virus. I hoped that because of the children91Ƶs comfort in sharing with me, this would make the process of sharing more comfortable for parents. It did. They trusted in the relationship we had together and so they trusted the plan I sent out in an email. I described the project and some questions they could use in their discussions:

Do you know what 91Ƶsickness91Ƶ means? What have you heard about coronavirus? How do you feel about that? Is there something you don91Ƶt understand or you are wondering about? What do we already know that will help us stay healthy? What would you like to say to people in your family? Your community? The world?

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Here was an opportunity for children to share their thoughts and feelings not only with me and their families but also with their neighbours and people in their communities. Here are some of their responses:

Garrison: 91ƵThe virus is scary. It91Ƶs hurting a lot of people and families, all around the world and maybe in Slocan. The virus sucks. I can91Ƶt see my umpa and nana right now, see my friends or go into stores.91Ƶ

Ivy: 91ƵSome people have fevers, some people have something like the flu. I feel bad because everybody is sick except us. We are not sick. To help us stay healthy, we love each other, eat green things, do yoga, take our shoes off outside and sing ABCs when we wash our hands. I love you world, you91Ƶre really thoughtful and no matter what, we will get rid of that bug.91Ƶ

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Zachary: 91ƵMake sure you get lots of exercise and keep your distance. 91Ƶ When you go bike riding, keep your distance. I love you school and I hope my school never gets closed down again. I miss everyone in my school and community. I hope the world heals.91Ƶ

We all hope that with this project people will begin to see children with a different lens, not just as 91Ƶcute91Ƶ but with more appreciation for their ability to be part of the conversations occurring around them. What I91Ƶve seen on a day-to-day basis is that when children feel they can talk to you about anything, they will. They will talk to you about their experiences, joys, worries, and plans.

I feel so privileged to be a part of all these conversations.

Natalie Lucas is an early childhood educator at Wee Ones Preschool and Daycare in South Slocan.

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91ƵThe red is the bugs and sickness. The yellow is the healing power and the sunshine. The purple is the love.91Ƶ - Shyla
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91ƵThere is a virus making people sick and even some people are dying. To stay safe, we stay home and wash our hands. By helping people, we stay home and by spreading our love to the world and we have started to meditate together.91Ƶ - Liv and Freja
21341450_web1_200423-KWS-Kids_4
Kids at South Slocan91Ƶs Wee Ones Preschool and Daycare and Slocan91Ƶs Valhalla Children91Ƶs Centre were asked to draw pictures showing how they feel about COVID-19.
21341450_web1_200423-KWS-Kids_5
Kids at South Slocan91Ƶs Wee Ones Preschool and Daycare and Slocan91Ƶs Valhalla Children91Ƶs Centre were asked to draw pictures showing how they feel about COVID-19.
21341450_web1_200423-KWS-Kids_6
Kids at South Slocan91Ƶs Wee Ones Preschool and Daycare and Slocan91Ƶs Valhalla Children91Ƶs Centre were asked to draw pictures showing how they feel about COVID-19.
21341450_web1_200423-KWS-Kids_7
Kids at South Slocan91Ƶs Wee Ones Preschool and Daycare and Slocan91Ƶs Valhalla Children91Ƶs Centre were asked to draw pictures showing how they feel about COVID-19.
21341450_web1_200423-KWS-Kids_8
Kids at South Slocan91Ƶs Wee Ones Preschool and Daycare and Slocan91Ƶs Valhalla Children91Ƶs Centre were asked to draw pictures showing how they feel about COVID-19.


About the Author: Black Press Media Staff

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