Learning During Covid-19 Quarantine
By Sahara Gonzalez-Garcia 12/14/2020 What's the story? What happened?
Dulce, it's been almost nine months since the last day we were at school. Your mom has told me in conversations I have had with her that you really miss being at school. She mentioned you recently told her: —“I miss mis amiguitos. I miss all my friends. Hecho de menos the school toys and I miss my teachers.”
So that you could continue working at home, we handdelivered to your house a bag with materials such as drawing paper, markers, watercolors, books, pencils, a notebook, stickers, and scissors. Your mom said you were very happy to receive the materials and started using them almost immediately.
You made a representation of the school, and you drew yourself with your mom walking together and holding hands to the school door. You drew the children, your friends, and your teachers. Then you asked your mother to write the names of your teachers, Michael, Alicia, and Sahara.
Dulce, your mom has shared with me that even though you are not going to school in person, (the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the school to close for several months), you always get up very early to continue doing the things you usually did in school. Together with your nephews and cousins, you write, paint, cut out shapes on construction paper and do art activities. One morning you said to your mom: "Estoy haciendo mi homework” And you wrote letters, numbers, and hearts. Your mom has been making sure that you have the materials you need, so that you can continue writing, drawing, and doing art activities that you enjoy so much.
Here you are making dolls with disposable spoons, feathers, and googly eyes. During these pandemic times that you have been able to spend more time with your mother, she has tried to do the best she can under the circumstances. You and your mom have done quite a lot of things together and she has even let you help her in the kitchen. You have made tortillas, chilaquiles, salad, jello, and you even helped her vacuum the carpet in your apartment! Through WhatsApp mom sent me photos of you proudly showing the hand-made tortillas you recently learned how to make, and a photo of you peeling tomatillos to make salsa for chilaquiles.
Another thing your mom has been diligent about is you playing outside with the proper health and safety precautions. Your mom makes sure you wear a face mask to cover your mouth and nose and avoid places where there are many people.
Dulce, during these months of the pandemic you have grown and matured a lot, especially as a learner and preschool student. Now you participate much more in our Zoom class meetings. We have seen the way you ask questions, make suggestions, tell jokes, and are always ready and willing to learn; always with your workbook in your hands, waiting for the moment to use it. Every morning at the beginning of our session you greet us with a big smile and say: “¡Me siento feliz como una lombriz!, meaning: I feel happy as a clam! Although the pharse sounds better in Spanish because the words feliz and lombriz, rhyme. Me siento contenta to see my teachers!" Dulce, you know our daily virtual class schedule by heart and you make sure that we teachers move the checkmark to the next activity, as planned. And if we don't, you remind us and say, “Teacher, you forgot to move the checkmark, ya acabamos de cantar. Now it’s time to read a book, move the checkmark, teacher. "
What does all this mean or what learning do I see?
Dulce, there is a special meaning to all these activities that you are doing at home. Writing, using scissors, working with playdough, coloring, drawing, running, jumping, climbing, and riding a tricycle have all helped you grow and develop your gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and your confidence. But most importantly, what has helped you develop all these skills and have more trust and self-assurance is the support your mother has given you. Without her support, it would have been much more difficult for you to develop and strengthen so many talents. Your mom is, and always will be, your number one teacher! Dulce, I want to thank you for the joy you bring to our class. Thank you for your smile that is like your name in Spanish, dulce, sweet. What I have learned from you in these challenging times we are living is that despite our current dire circumstances, we should smile every morning and try feel happy as a clam and keep moving forward the best we can!
Opportunities and Possibilities —What could we do to help Dulce in her growth and development?
Some ideas to help Dulce in her growth and development are to continue giving her real materials to keep writing, drawing, and coloring at home. Another idea might be to get easy-toread books with pictures and words that rhyme. We could also give Dulce cards with letters of the alphabet to practice their sounds and write the letters. When we go back to school in person, we could give Dulce a chance to lead an activity with one or two other children.
Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) Measures • Curiosity and Initiative to Learn • Self-control of Feelings and Behavior • Persistence • Sharing Space and Use of Materials • Social Relationship with Peers • Social Relationship with Adults • Communication and Use of Language • Gross Motor • Manipulative Fine Motor
Family’s Opinion
After reading Dulce’s learning story, what would you say to Dulce? Please, if possible, write a few lines directly to your daughter. Thanks! Well Dulce, I want to tell you that you are a very special little girl and despite your young age, you are very intelligent, and I am very proud of you. Every moment I spend with you, I enjoy it, knowing you are happy. I know you like to be helpful, and it makes feel very happy when I know you participate in class. Also, many thanks to your teachers for your patience and for supporting 5 my little girl. Thank you, Michael, thank you Alicia, thank you Sarita. May God bless you and keep blessing you with patience to keep teaching our children.
