Imagining the COVID-19 pandemic through the minds of 9–11 years old: findings from an art exhibition in India

• Published in: Public health (London) Vol. 192; pp. 56 - 60
• Main Authors: R, Amrutha, Sadh, K., Murthy, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Art exhibition; Art exhibits; Art Therapy - methods; Child; Children; Communicable Disease Control; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 - psychology; Female; Gratitude; Humans; India; Lockdown; Male; Negative experiences; Pandemics; Physical Distancing; Qualitative Research; Quarantine; Quotations; SARS-CoV-2; Social Isolation - psychology; Themes; Uncertainty; India; COVID-19; Art exhibition; Lockdown; Themes; Children
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.01.007

To understand children’s perspectives of COVID-19 and lockdown through art. Observational; Qualitative study. The drawings and descriptive notes along with the drawings were presented in an art exhibition and were thematically analyzed. Forty-three documents were created, out of which 134 quotations, 24 codes, 21 themes, and six groups were synthesized. The themes were mainly related to positive experiences, negative experiences, unity, safety, hope, uncertainty, gratitude, faith, and future expectations. This study contributes to a better understanding of children’s perspectives of the pandemic situation. •The world is going through difficult and unimaginable times in this pandemic era.•An art exhibition was organized for children to use their time creatively and to better understand COVID-19.•The children’s artworks portray the situation as perceived by the young eyes and minds.