Displacement, replacement and creative endeavour; children’s experiences of ‘lockdown’ – a basis for planning?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Children were significantly impacted by Covid-19 and associated restrictions of human movement (UNICEF 2021). Consequences are long term and understanding the nature of this essential to educational planning. This study focused on children aged 7/8 years in a south of England school; its purpose to understand children's experiences of lockdown. Children were invited to create pictures/photographs illustrating perspectives and interviewed about their images. The class teacher was interviewed about each child's background. 28 children participated drawing a total of 87 pictures; 6 children additionally took photographs creating 43 images. Data were analysed following a dimensional model for the analysis of children's data sets (Everley, 2021). Findings aligned to three key themes: (i) Socially Realised Identities: Loss and redefinition (ii) Domesticisation of experience and generation of creativity (iii) Anthropomorphisation of pets as companionate beings Outcomes suggest impact on: (a) the generation and performance of identity (b) inter-personal communication (c) creative collaborations (d) independence/self-reliance.