Contemporary Perspectives on Research on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Early Childhood Education

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on early childhood education programs, with comprehensive reviews of the literature, descriptions of programs or situations, and research studies providing accounts of current situations in early childhood education. This volume provides a brief introduction that acknowledges the valuable contributions of these chapters to the impact of this pandemic in early childhood education and offers a valuable tool to practitioners and researchers who are conducting studies on the impact of COVID-19.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 326 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2022
Publisher: Information Age Publishing

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), also known as SARS-CoV-2, has had a significant impact on early childhood education programs. With the pandemic being a new phenomenon, there was limited research available, necessitating this volume to explore mutual and contemporary themes related to COVID-19's impact on early childhood education. Early childhood education (ECE) centers faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, and this volume provides comprehensive reviews of the literature, descriptions of programs or situations, and research studies to provide an account of the current situation in early childhood education. The chapters in this special volume discuss how ECE faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis and demonstrate the breadth and theoretical effectiveness of this domain. This volume serves as a valuable tool for practitioners and researchers conducting studies on the impact of COVID-19 in early childhood education.

At the beginning of 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged SARS-CoV-2 as a different kind of coronavirus, which quickly spread worldwide through person-to-person contact. Infections ranged from mild to deadly, with COVID-19 causing respiratory tract infections such as sinusitis, rhinitis, and pharyngitis, as well as lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia (World Health Organization, 2020a). On January 30, 2020, the WHO affirmed that COVID-19 was a global health emergency (World Health Organization, 2020b).

The impact of COVID-19 on early childhood education was multifaceted. Schools and childcare centers were forced to close, which resulted in the disruption of education for millions of children worldwide. Teachers and other staff members were required to work remotely, which presented challenges in terms of maintaining communication and providing support to students and families. Additionally, the pandemic led to economic uncertainty, which affected the resources available for early childhood education programs.

One of the most significant challenges faced by ECE centers was the need to adapt to new teaching and learning methods. Traditional classroom-based instruction was no longer feasible, and teachers had to find innovative ways to engage students and provide them with quality education. This included the use of online learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and other digital tools. However, not all families had access to these resources, which created a digital divide and exacerbated existing inequalities in education.

Another challenge was the need to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff. Schools and childcare centers had to implement strict safety protocols, such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and handwashing, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This presented challenges in terms of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children and staff. Additionally, the pandemic led to increased stress and anxiety among students and staff, which had a negative impact on their mental health and well-being.

Despite these challenges, there were also some positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in early childhood education. For example, it led to increased awareness of the importance of early childhood education and the need for high-quality programs. It also led to the development of new teaching and learning methods that can be used in future situations. Additionally, it led to increased collaboration between schools, childcare centers, and other stakeholders in the early childhood education sector.

In conclusion, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on early childhood education programs. While it presented many challenges, it also led to some positive outcomes. It is important for practitioners and researchers to continue to study the impact of COVID-19 in early childhood education to develop effective strategies for addressing these challenges and promoting the well-being of children and families.

Weight: 512g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781648028151