The worldwide pandemic has highlighted many different social problems that have always been within society and placed them in the spotlight. From economic hardship, to deeply situated issues related to child harassment and abuse. The closing of schools to protect children from the Coronavirus may have prevented illness, but not all children are fortunate to have a safe environment at home to learn and grow. School was their safety, and a place that they could express their emotions, thoughts, and carefully articulate their fears to their educators. Lockdown has prevented this.
Due to many parents needing to work long hours to bring in a steady income, children are often left in crowded places and to their own devices. They play on the streets with other children, leaving them vulnerable and susceptible to adults and family members that do not work, or due to the pandemic, are unemployed. Communities that are rife with gang violence and sexual harassment, leave the community members feeling fearful and timid. Children are extremely susceptible to these feelings and can often pick it up from the adults in their lives.
When schools are allowed to open, educators will need to be emotionally and mentally prepared for a perceived change within their classroom. Voice of Child has developed a program to assist with the transition and equip all educators with the tools to allow for a free-flow of information and emotional assistance to children when needed.
Dr Ayelet Giladi, founder of Voice of Child, believes that children need to be able to hope and believe in their imagination. This enables them to analyse their experiences in a way that they can process trauma and learn to respect themselves and others. Educating children to be able to tell their stories in a safe and understanding environment puts a stop to societal and psychological damage across generations. Children are often unaware that they are powerful enough to create their own boundaries and have them respected by adults. Dr. Giladi empowers children through her program and teaches educators how to allow them to embrace and understand how precious their bodies are.
Click here to register for an 8 part course in understanding the roots of sexual harassment and the methods to prevent it in early childhood development. Be a part of change in children’s lives.