We have all had days when expressing our low points during the pandemic wasn’t the easiest thing to do. Can you imagine how it must have been for children confined to their homes with little in the name of recreational activities and everyday tensions that impacted their mental health and well-being? During these times of despair, art-based interventions came as a silver lining in the lives of some children.
To show how children can use art as a form of expression, we collaborated with Saturday Art Class, an organisation that provides children with social-emotional skills that can help them manage their emotions and stressors. With the help of conversations and questions, children explored their thoughts and feelings through these interesting art and illustrations.
What does the world around you look like? Can you express what you see in your world through a drawing or painting?
“While I was creating this drawing, I was feeling happy and nervous. I was nervous about whether I would be able to create it in a good way, or whether I would be able to clearly communicate my thoughts through this drawing. But, I drew this according to my feelings and surroundings.
I’ve been hearing everyone speak about how the coronavirus is present in school because that is the reason why schools are not reopening. However, nobody is speaking about how the virus does not seem to be present in Delhi, where the farmer protests are taking place; because I noticed that the farmers were not wearing their masks nor were they maintaining social distancing.
I live near Aksa Beach (which I have also drawn), and even at the beach, no rules are being followed. People are roaming around the beach with no masks on. They would only pull up their masks if they saw a policeman pass by, but would remove their masks once the policemen moved away!
If schools would reopen, I’m sure school authorities and students would obey the guidelines and take responsibility to reinforce the rules put forth by the government.
Taking these examples, I have created this drawing because this is what I feel about the current environment I have seen and experienced.”
– Ayesha Khan, 12, Lantern Edusports Foundation
How do you think the Coronavirus looks? Can you give it an identity by drawing/painting it?
“I wanted to draw and let others know that this is how the coronavirus looks like.
I was feeling sad when creating this drawing because of what India is going through right now. Our country is stuck in this big problem, and I don’t know when we will get out of this situation!”
-Fehmina Ahmed Shah, 13, Lantern Edusports Foundation
Do you like School from Home? Can you draw/paint about how you feel?
“This is my drawing and I am seated here in it. My teacher is teaching me and this is an online class that I attended. I am thinking of how the online class is very nice and when I study with focus, I learn very well. Personally, I like studying maths during an online class.”
-Saheefa Azta, 10, Jafari School)
