Sankofa: Part 2
The spirit of Sankofa encompasses taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present.
Reminding Children of Childhood
Have you ever smelled something that reminded you of a meal your grandparent cooked when you were younger? Or seen the cover of a book that you used to read and suddenly missed being a little kid? Heard a song that reminded you of a lullaby someone would sing to you?
These moments can give you a feeling of nostalgia or a longing for something in the past. What if our job was to remind children that their childhood is important and missing it would be an error, not something they could get back. COVID-19 misaligned so much for so many people. I, myself, missed my students’ smiles and they constantly misread my expressions. Much of this was caused by the simple fact they could not see half my face due to safety precautions enforced by health guidelines and masking. It’s important that we, as grownups, are aware of what children lost in dealing with the pandemic and how important expression is in how we relate and understand one another.
I missed seeing my students’ faces
I came across this article about conducting mental health research responses as it related to the strengths and challenges of the COVID-19 in the UK. The article is interesting and addresses how difficult it is to get an accurate ‘temperature’ to mental health wellness, especially with young children.
Looking Back to Move Forward: Reflections on the Strengths and Challenges of the COVID-19 UK Mental Health Research Response
PERSPECTIVE article
Front. Psychiatry, 08 April 2021
Sec. Public Mental Health
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.622562
Children INDEED struggled throughout the pandemic; but teachers did too. HERE is an article written reflecting teache's’ thoughts and feelings when asked the question: “What do you miss most about seeing your students in person?”
~”Alberta Teachers Cope with COVID 19 Pandemic,” April 7, 2020
When I began this weekly blog over 15 months ago, I was living and teaching in a post-lockdown pandemic environment, extremely concerned about the wellness of my students.
Click HERE for quick video of MBSR-T.
Over 15 months ago I wrote:
“Wellness is a moving state of BEING. One that we all experience for moments at a time, or sometimes we experience it in a semi-permanent state. I feel like my own Wellness is permeable, allowing some elements to penetrate while keeping other forms of energy at bay. I like to think of myself as a cross between a female Ted Lasso and a taller, less old Yoda.
I enjoy the exchanges of energy. In a recent yoga class, during “Fun Friday,”, two of my students were leading the class through a routine. They asked for a specific music artist to play through my bluetooth speaker. “Sure,” I said. During savasana, over two-dozen 11-year olds sang to Olivia Rodrigo “hope ur ok”. It wasn’t a ‘Classic’ yoga class, by any means,; but it was classy! For the 3 min 29 sec that these budding ‘tweens sang, the class became ONE. Student led, we found a common ground to BE. Budding Beings finding Wellness THEIR way.
In High School I played a Grasshopper in a children’s play during my senior year. I am now a Warrior Yoga Teacher in a classroom of students-teachers-students seeking and teaching Wellness together.”
One thing we can do for ourselves and the children in our life is to create opportunities that faciliate the experience of presence and community. This is especially important in the wake of COVID-19 as we heal from the isolation and enforced loss of community. This just might help children reclaim their childhood by reminding them that the pursuit of wellness can create community and can encourage them to find their own unique expression and BEING in the world.
