Permanent link for Artists Responding to Crisis: Germs and Kindergartners at Coit Creative Arts Academy on June 1, 2020

Student Perspective provided by:
Megan Daniels
Major: Studio Art
Minor: Public & Nonprofit Administration
Class of 2023

The Germ On My Hand
Evangelina F.
Crayon and Watercolor
2017
2018.6.7

"This work of art was created by a kindergarten student at the Coit Creative Arts Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is how the student imagines the germs on her hands to look. I vividly remember posters in my elementary school bathroom that gave illustrated instructions on how to wash the germs off my hands. Now, I am reliving those years of being taught how to wash my hands thoroughly as the USA continues to fight the spread of the Coronavirus. This kindergartener’s creative depiction of a germ resembles the COVID-19 illustrations I see all over the media today and I wonder how the pandemic has and will continue to impact kids.

Both my parents work in k-12 public education and as stay at home orders were put in place I immediately heard about the feared negative impact it would have on children and teens mental and educational well being. Abigail Gewirtz, a child psychologist and professor at the University of Minnesota, provides insight on how parents and caregivers can provide support and understanding of COVID-19 for children and teens in an NPR podcast "Loss, Grief, Stress: How The Pandemic is Affecting Kids. Gewirtz along with many other mental health researchers are sharing what is known about childhood trauma from crisis and tragedy however a world pandemic is uncharted territory." - Megan Daniels

To view more artwork by students from Coit Creative Arts Academy visit the GVSU Online Art Collection.
Visit HealthyChildren.org for helpful information about how to support kids during quarantine.

Categories: Student Perspectives
Posted on Permanent link for Artists Responding to Crisis: Germs and Kindergartners at Coit Creative Arts Academy on June 1, 2020.