I was not taught how to handle a pandemic while attending classes for Early Childhood Development. In fact, I bet no one even considered such a thing would be necessary.
I have attended classes and meetings on Zoom, taken classes on trauma and how it affects children. I have studied how isolation is not healthy for a child’s development. I have had countless hours of training on infectious diseases and blood borne pathogens. Never did I think I would have to glean from them all I could to be an affective teacher in 2020.
So many countries, states, counties and school districts have rules regulating how best to protect others and still provide the essential care needed, that Early Childhood Educators provide. Yet once again, so little funding and support is being given to the Early Child Work Force. These COVID regulations do not promote best practices, nor are they developmentally appropriate.
We are essential, we help you have a safe, healthy place to feel secure in leaving your child while you head off to work, either in the comfort and safety of your home or out into the world full of an unseen virus and a myriad of response to how people behave based on what they believe to be true about this novel disease. I understand the concern Healthcare Workers, Grocery Store Employees and Fire and Police feel, over concern for their families. I have the same for my family, but a very tight budget to ensure I will make it financially if something were to affect my health, my husband’s health or cost me my place of employment.
No one has increased my pay, offered me healthy insurance, paid for my life insurance or even given my center more money to cover the necessary expenses to keep our infection rates low and sterilize our environment. Rarely is the mental health of me or my colleagues discussed on the news, or in education circles. We worry about the school teachers and their students, but our little ones are being impacted very deeply.
Children need to socialize and play with other children. This can not be achieved in this solution of isolated play spaces, with individual sets of toys and limited physical contact. This method, some centers are using to stay open, seem harsher than the conditions in the penal system and our children have committed no crime.
If this is our answer, is community child care safe? Should I be allowing myself and my children to be in an environment that leads to this type of reality?
My students are tired, stressed and anxious. They feel the stress their families are feeling. They know their lives have changed. Their emotional, social and physical needs are greater than they should be at this young age. But if those of us who educate these young minds, and mold these future adults are not cared for what will happen to our youth?
I am the cream of the crop. Many educators I know are the cream of the crop. Yet it will be those of us who go above and beyond out of respect for the young child and their worth that will die in the trenches. If COVID doesn’t get us, than exhaustion, depression or poverty will eliminate us. What will be left behind will not be devoted to the education of young children.
It’s time we realize we are not just essential so others can do their job. We are INDISPENSABLE, VITAL, and CRUCIAL to the overall well-being of our children.
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