Mack is missing his mates – how one educator is helping preschoolers cope with COVID

Zoe Tolhurst, an educator at Stroud Preschool is doing her best to help the children in her care to cope with the challenges of the extended lockdown period in New South Wales, encouraging the preschoolers in her care to make colourful posters to display along the fenceline. 

Social distancing, lockdown and the broader impact of the pandemic has affected all members of the broader Australian community, but for young children, it can be hard to understand, leaving many with big feelings which are tricky to manage. 

Speaking to local news source News Of The Area Ms Tolhurst said that the preschool community was trying to flip the challenges on their head by encouraging children to focus on positive things, making posters and signs to cheer up those passing by. 

“Preschool has been tough for the children; either not being able to attend and not being able to see friends or attending but not seeing all their friends,” she explained.

“We spoke to the children about what they missed, what they wanted to say or draw to their friends that they couldn’t see right now.” 

The posters have been attached to the back fence for the community to see, as well as being shared on social media.

One of the most poignant posters was created by young Mack, who simply shared the message “I love my friends, love Mack” alongside a bright and colourful painting. 

To view the children’s work, as well as the original coverage of this story, please see here.