Early Childhood Education Students Already Know What a Virus Is

Abstract

This paper seeks to identify what knowledge about viruses was generated informally during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic among pre-school children. To this end, we analyzed the responses to a structured interview conducted by the tutors in the classrooms, and drawings made by the pupils. The participants were 241 children from early childhood education in 3- to 5-year-old classrooms. The results suggest that the pandemic has favored a more realistic knowledge of viruses, although linked to one specific virus, the coronavirus. Viruses are mostly located in the external environment and understood as harmful agents. Finally, the mass media stand out as the main source of information.