Items

• 2021-06-15

  COVID-19, Masks, and Bleach at a Preschool

  During the COVID-19 pandemic I worked at a preschool where I taught primarily 12-to-18-month-old children until they were ready to move onto the next class. The use of a face mask and rigorous cleaning methods were a constant part of my day for the entire time I worked there. Now, the memory of that time stands out to me the most through the feel of the mask on my face and the smell of the bleach that seemed to stay with me for days. The kids I taught were too young to wear masks (that was reserved for the two-year-old and up classes), but they did not seem bothered that the adults surrounding them wore pieces of fabric over their mouths and noses. For eight hours a day I felt the pull on my ears, the scratchy material against my nose, and the frustration of the mask muffling my voice when trying to get the attention of ten children in the classroom. Pointing out facial features like a nose or certain facial expressions like being happy or sad with a mask on became normal. More often than not, I would feel a small hand reach up and attempt (or succeed) at pulling my mask down which I proceeded to pull back on as quickly as possible while ignoring how good the fresh air on my face felt. Aside from the masks, the administration required routinely cleaning all toys used everyday with a high concentration of bleach. During nap time, the smell of the bleach filled the room as we cleaned all toys used that day, regardless of the duration of the activity. Even with a mask on, the smell lingered in my nose, on my clothes, and in the classroom to the point that I always felt that I smelled of bleach. When COVID-19 infection numbers were up in the local area or we had case in our school, the bleach concentration, as expected, went up and so did the smell. While I supported all efforts made at the preschool to reduce possible COVID-19 infections, these sensory descriptions illustrate the mental and emotional draining portion of the pandemic history.
• 
  2021-05-02

  Charlotte Botenhagen Oral History, 2021/05/02

  This was an interview from Jennifer Botenhagen who is a preschool teacher living in a tiny mountain town. This interview details her experience adapting to teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 
  2020-06-24

  The New Reality of California's Preschools

  "Gone are family-style meals and snacks where children serve themselves. And no more sharing toys." If it sounds grim to you, it sort of is. Children are having to stay six feet away from one another just like any other person. The difference is that a lot of these children are still far too young to understand why. Safety guidelines have been provided from the California Department of Public Health, county departments of public health, and the California Department of Social Services. This is in a notable and admirable attempt to grab some semblance of normalcy back while remaining cautious. Some other changes include, but are not limited to, having toys be sanitized after use, physical touch (i.e. hugging) are kept to a minimum, and children cannot play outside (such as the playground structures). A big problem seems to be with the touch, though. A lot of these children, as young as 2 years old, start crying and need some physical comfort. Although some of these new guidelines are straightforward and simple, they're not easily implemented as it can easily hinder a child's development and understanding of the world.
• 2020-04-27

  COVID-19 and Daycare

  I worked at a daycare in Hoover, Alabama for 5 years that provided care to over 200 children. When the state went on lockdown, our numbers dwindled down to 60 as we were only allowing children of first responders to stay. All other children were either left to their parents, babysitters, family, friends, etc. I was a lead infant teacher for babies 6-12 months. I normally have about 10 but on my first day of work after lockdown was initiated, I only had 2 and that instantly meant less noise. I have a schedule I keep but each activity lasted half the time it normally does. It gave the babies more time to play and explore but for me, I had to begin the process of deep cleaning. We were issued new cleaning products and if there was a time when you weren't busy with children, you had to clean. We kept our masks on all day for the children's sake but it limited my breathing since I wasn't used to wearing one. Add that to new, stronger cleaning products and it makes for a difficult day. I experienced the normal smells of infant care that I have for the last 5 years but the new, stronger cleaning smells altered my olfactory system. I was worried how the babies and I would react to it after we've been exposed to the chemicals for a long period of time. We weren't allowed to open our doors or windows so the smell stayed with us all day. It gave me headaches and made my babies cranky. It was a learning process with the new sanitizing methods and we all finally got a rhythm down and requested that we be allowed to open our windows and doors while cleaning. It helped us keep our kids and ourselves healthier and more conscientious about our cleaning habits. With less children around, we were able to clean thoroughly and get everything in order but it felt less like a daycare without all the noise. We worked diligently so that when lockdown was over, we could welcome back our loud and crazy kids to a new, sanitized environment.
• 
  2020-05-22

  "Preschool at home graduation"

  It is a picture of an at home preschool graduation that occured.It shows how people attempted to still celebrate milestones during the pandemic. #ASU #HST580
• 
  2020-05-12

  Quarantine Birthday

  Today my baby sister Elena turned five years old. She has just been a light and a breath of fresh air ever since she has entered this world. I have loved watching her grow up and learn new things. She may be trying at times, but things always seem to pan out perfectly. I love her so much. I pray that God protect her and watch over her all the days of her life. Please guide her and help her grow in her faith in you, Lord. We had so many fun surprises in Elena’s birthday celebrations. I made her breakfast, waffles with chocolate shaped in a cute animal with blueberries for its eyes and mouth and a blackberry for the nose. Then we dropped her off at preschool with cupcakes. Then, once she came home, we ate lunch. After that we took photos in our homemade photobooth. Then we played Pin-the-Moustache-on-the-Kitty. Elena won of course. Since she won, we gave Elena cake as a surprise for her win. After that we did the pinata. Lastly, we had presents. Today was a good day. #LSMS #NSD
• 
  05/09/2020

  Begging for Something New

  Today I tried to make the day different while going through my same routine. This meant that I tried to workout harder and spend time with my sister and mom so that we can make something that lasts longer like crafts. Today was just really solid because I was so much more focused on what I was doing that it made me get through things faster. This helped me not snack as often because I didn’t really wait and think that I am hungry. I have still been sleeping in later as I have been waking up at about 8-9. I just recently found out that I was accepted to be a Student Ambassador for my school in my eighth-grade year. I was really excited to be accepted and am happy to have the opportunity to help make my school a better place during my last year at this school. This also shows me how people are making plans for life to resume pretty soon. The Rec Center is opening, my sister’s preschool is having lessons, and people at school are making plans for when students return back to school, showing that Distance Learning is almost done for good. #LSMS #NSD
• 
  05/07/2020

  Quarantine Blues

  Today I decided to take my sister to preschool. I did this because I was at home and because of the virus she had to miss preschool. Next week is her birthday and there are only a few kids in her class to celebrate. Since she missed preschool, she cannot have her preschool graduation because the kids did not have enough time to learn the songs. Since her final days in preschool are somewhat sabotaged, my mom and I went to get her tons of decorations for her fifth birthday. We went with a unicorn theme because that is what we could find the most decorations for, because of the virus there are not many decorations for things like L.O.L Dolls or My Little Pony. This virus has really impacted my sister’s birthday which means a lot to her as since she is just turning five. She won’t get the cake she wants, her ideal theme had to change because of what is in stock, and she cannot invite any of her friends over for a party. #LSMS #NSD
• 
  2020-04-28

  Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Pre-School Teacher Thinks Outside the Classroom

  “Instead of being thrown by such an unorthodox teaching situation, Julissa Garcia and others at the school have gotten very creative. ‘One particular highlight was Soboba Spirit Week while quarantined,’ she said. ‘Each dress-up day was dedicated to the various people in our communities who are affected by COVID-19.” One of the first dress-up days was to honor the elders who had been struggling. “Julissa dressed up as an elder and made a video of circle time as Mrs. Doubtfire. She is such a team player.”
• 
  2020-04-17

  Distance Learning for Preschoolers

  My 4 year old daughter attending her first virtual, online preschool class. The teacher set up a reoccurring Zoom meeting for the students to meet for 30 minutes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in April 2020. This is a picture of her participating in the living room of our house in Jackson, MI. Online, distance learning done by my 4 year old daughter for her preschool classroom.