During the recent India-Pakistan conflict that began after Pakistan-based terrorists killed 26 innocent civilians in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Early Childhood Association asked children about the concepts of ‘War’ and ‘Peace’. While schools remained shut during the conflict, students drew about ‘War’ and ‘Peace’ at home.
Dr. Swati Popat Vats, President of the Early Childhood Association, interprets for our readers what ‘War and Peace’ mean for our youngest citizens.
‘Peace’ meant different things to each child, some of the older children had a definitive idea of what ‘Peace’ meant to them. But for many of the younger children, it looked like they were hearing the word for the first time and drew all kinds of things not connected to ‘Peace’. And then there were some children who connected ‘Peace’ to their home, parents, their favourite toys and activities all meant ‘Peace’ for them.
And isn’t that the reality? These children gave us a strong message. War is all around them even when there is no war! It’s there in the video games they play, in the visuals they see and in the movies that they are sometimes taken to watch even when it is inappropriate for them!
But we are not exposing them to enough talk, visuals, games or movies about ‘Peace’.
War or no war. Conflict or no conflict. Let’s protect and preserve what our youngest citizens have drawn of what represents or means ‘Peace’ for them. Let us protect the simple things… everyday things…and not wait for a war or conflict to take care of these things for our children.
If terrorism exists then war and conflict is a reality. Let us create a world of adults that takes care of what ‘Peace’ means to our children and not only the adult definition of ‘Peace’.
It is evident from their drawings that children have a fair understanding of ‘War’ and comprehend all the aspects, emotions and details about ‘War’.
They had an idea about Pakistan being the enemy…
They had patriotism too…
What does this new generation know about ‘Peace’?
When it came to an understanding about ‘Peace’, things were a little different. There were 3 kinds of drawings about ‘Peace’:
- Children who had no idea what is ‘Peace’ and had drawn random things.
- Children who had a deep understanding about ‘Peace’
- And children who did not have a deep understanding about ‘Peace’ but connected it to a feeling about everyday things and people.
Drawings of Children who had no idea what is ‘Peace’ and had drawn random things.
Drawings of Children who had a deep understanding about ‘Peace’
Drawings of children who did not have a deep understanding about ‘Peace’ but connected it to a feeling about everyday things and people.
‘Peace’ is in everyday things…
‘Peace’ is about people you love…
‘Peace’ is my country!
Drawings are a window into a child’s mind, thinking, likes, dislikes, fears and anxieties. These drawings teach us so much about what we can and need to do to bring up a generation who will contribute to this world by becoming resilient and empathetic citizens…in the end isn’t that what true ‘Peace’ is all about?
–Dr. Swati Popat Vats, President, Early Childhood Association
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