Coronavirus in the Children’s World: Discourses and Drawings

Abstract

More than 1.5 billion students and young people worldwide have been affected by school and university closings due to the COVID-19 outbreak. With the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, a free distance education system was launched by the Ministry of Education on 23 March 2020 with a national level television and internet-based curriculum. The opinions of the children who have just started primary school but whose school has been closed due to the pandemic in the spring term are considered to be necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the perspectives of 1st grade primary school (6.5-7 years old) students on the Coronavirus and its effects. In current study, the perspectives of 1st grade primary school students on Coronavirus and its effects were investigated. In this context, interview and document analysis techniques were used within the scope of qualitative research methods. A total of 16 primary school students from four provinces in different geographical regions of Turkey were included in the study to ensure maximum diversity. These students formed the working group of the research. In the study, semi-structured interviews and pictures drawn by students were used to reveal students’ perspectives on Coronavirus and the effects of the virus. In the research, semi-structured interviews were used for content analysis, and the pictures drawn were utilized for document analysis. In the study, it was assumed that 1st grade primary school students have the consciousness that Coronavirus has tremendous and adverse effects on human life and threatens health. it was concluded that 1st grade primary school students gained awareness about proper handwashing, using masks and gloves as a means of protection from Coronavirus.