Children worldwide share their experiences of COVID-19
A unique e-book has launched that contains drawings, pictures, poems and words from young people about the pandemic
Children from around the globe have shared their experiences of COVID-19 restrictions.
Their thoughts and feelings have formed the basis of a new unique e-book, that launched on Monday (1 March).
The book was created by the International Network for Child and Family Centred Care (INCFCC) - of which Professor Sarah Neill, from the University of Plymouth, is chair:
"I loved seeing the things that they were looking forward to themselves: being able to see their friends again, being able to hug again and I think we can all identify with that; because I think we're all desperate for a time when we can hug freely.
"They've all used the same icons for the coronavirus. It's fascinating how the messages about hand washing, wearing a face mask and social distancing have been shared around the globe and being able to share that through children's drawings is fantastic."
'COVID-19 Artwork' contains drawings, pictures, poems and narrative from children aged four to 14, with entries depicting subjects ranging from the difficulties of social distancing to the ‘superheroes’ fighting the virus.
Work on the book started at the beginning of the first UK lockdown in March 2020.
INCFCC's aim was to create a book by and for children that gave them the opportunity present their perspectives and experiences of having to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
One child, 13-year-old Luyando from Zambia, wrote: "The World is falling apart, The roads are empty, the crowds too small, And no trace of life outside, none at all."
Another child, 11-year-old Layan from Jordan, talked positively about the influence of the virus on her life explaining: "I knew the real meaning of love after we get locked down in our homes because of COVID-19."
Dr Mandie Foster, Lecturer at Edith Cowan University, Australia, co-chair of the INCFCC and originator of the idea, said:
"This project is incredibly valuable, not just for our network but for anyone worldwide who wants a snapshot of life for children during the pandemic. It’s something we’re all really proud of, and we’re very grateful to the young people involved for sharing their experiences."
The vast majority of contributors were living through moderate to severe restrictions when they submitted their designs, coming from 17 of the INCFCC’s 22 countries: including Ghana, Sweden and Australia.
More about the book can be found here.