Hello everyone,
The pandemic, which has deprived the education of 1.5 billion students in 195 countries since December 2019, provides us with the opportunity to reaffirm the role of science, the building an understanding of the world around us, be it for adults or for children, and this from an early age.
First, a little reminder about how we teach science.
As you know, effective science education is based on a child-centered approach, science favors dialogue, expression, reflection and communication; It allows children to face universal phenomena such as the growth of plants, the observation of animals in the immediate environment, for example, it also learns to freely exercise their thinking while limiting it by the realities of the world.
The rigor of scientific discourse contributes to the formation of a critical mind, while allowing the consolidation of oral and written language, a research-based approach introduces students to a living and accessible science. These active pedagogies promote autonomy, understanding of the main challenges of the 21st century, coexistence and equal opportunities. Families, associations, scientific partners can be asked to intervene locally in the workshop.
So how do you teach science with the Covid 19?
The Covid 19 pandemic is itself a scientific topic, particularly in relation to health and care education promoted by OMEP, it helps to raise awareness about some rules of social life, to become aware of the short and long-term consequences of our hygiene and our behavior. Children hear about the virus and disease in the media, families, and teachers, leading to many questions that testify to their anxiety.
Our priority as educators is to reassure them of this pandemic.
-How this microbe is much more harmful than others we live with.
And that’s why we wear masks and respect barrier gestures.
-The need to carefully observe the hygiene rules that, we hope, will change the behavior of children and adults on a daily basis.
For example, hand washing, as recommended by the WASH program developed by OMEP and UNICEF in many countries.
-The need to protect themselves and others, therefore, open to the concept of altruism, directly related to the construction of other concepts such as health, and values, such as that of solidarity.
-It is important to tell the truth of the moment explaining that researchers around the world are trying to find a treatment and a vaccine to protect us from Covid-19. It takes time and can be challenged later.
These explanations also teach and contribute to the formation of scientific and critical minds.
Let’s take advantage of this pandemic to promote with OMEP, from an early age,
-A preschool education that creates awareness about the effects of individual and collective actions,
-Promote responsible and united behavior for all children, future citizens of the world.
Thank you.
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