I chose to continue learning about Italian culture since I have previously written about this country in my blogs.
A lot of what I found in my research shows that children in Italy currently are experiencing anxiety from being on lockdown because of the Coronavirus. The Italian doctors were forced to make many virtual visits to parents and children to assure them of ways to cope with the anxiety of being isolated from their whole world. (Klass, 2020). I feel as though this concept is something that children in all regions of the world are coping with. For my own children, I had to stop watching the news because my daughter could not handle the media's interpretation of COVID-19. And personally, even for myself, I had to stop watching.
I think the hardest thing for everyone, in Italy and in other parts of the world, is that the way we are living currently is part of what "normal" now looks like.
References
Klass, P. (2020, April 2). What Italian Pediatricians Can Tell Us. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/well/family/coronavirus-pediatricians-Italy-children-families.html.
Hi Leann
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching story. I have always liked the way you always put so much emotion in your writings. Sadly, we all have children like “N” in the classrooms. I feel so much for those kids. They all deserve a good life with parents that love them and care for them. I am at least happy that “N” has a good foster parent. Do you have family in Italy? I have never been there, but I would like to visit one day. The same thing is happening in Spain. Parents are overwhelmed by having to keep their children safe. My brother that lives over there was telling me that many small children are depressed. I hope that one day everything will be okay.
Thank you for sharing.
Toni
Hi Toni,
DeleteI do have family in Italy, my grandparents were last there to visit two years ago. I hope to one day visit with my children. Thanks for your kind words!
Leanne,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the anxiety Covid has caused everyone and especially our most fragile, the children. The hard part about this for parents and educators like you, is that we don't have answers to share with the curious minds that look to us for answers.
Leanne,
ReplyDeleteI truly can relate to your experience with your foster child and parent. I also have been a foster parent for a four year little boy. His mother had supervised visiting privileges and I would have to take him to the Social Services office weekly. When he return he would have behavior issues. I can't image the stress he must have endured not understanding why he could not be with is mother. Children are dedicated to their family regardless of how they are treated.
As we all know COVID 19 had taken a toll not only on the children but adults as well. I think however children are more acceptable and adaptable to change.
Cynthia Hunt
Hi Leanne, thank you do much for sharing about your experience with interacting and working with a child under foster care. I am very glad to hear that he is profressing. It must be so challenging bouncing back and forth between two different family environments with different forms of structure and rules. I agree with your statement on how coronavirus is a huge stressor right now for everyone. For many young children this is the first form of a crisis or even loss that they have come upon. It is very imprant that we all come together and show love and support for those around us.
ReplyDelete