![\"\"](\"https:\/\/serwisnaukowy.uw.edu.pl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dzieciece-archiwum-pandemii-mip-uw-edu-pl-OK-lat-10-1024x768.jpg.webp\")
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStay at home!\u201d \u2014 the pandemic from children\u2019s perspective<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe researchers based their analysis on three initiatives launched in Warsaw during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first began in March 2020: the Children\u2019s pandemic archive<\/a><\/em>, an online collection of children\u2019s works created during lockdown. The archive gathered drawings, photographs, texts, and even school assignments that reflected children\u2019s experiences of the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe second project, Change. Children\u2019s experience of the pandemic<\/a>, focused on preschoolers and was conducted in cooperation with preschool teachers. In addition to research, the project aimed to create activities that helped children express their thoughts and feelings about the new reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe third project involved a series of individual and group tasks carried out with children aged 5\u20137 and 7\u20139. One activity asked participants to create a pandemic \u201ctime capsule.\u201d This research took place in 2023 and explored how children reflected on the experience several years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each initiative offered a slightly different perspective on how children translated this unprecedented situation into their own language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt the beginning of the pandemic, children were portrayed as having a special responsibility,\u201d explains Prof. Ewa Maciejewska-Mroczek from the Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Warsaw. \u201cThey were told that although they themselves might not get seriously ill, they had to wash their hands and follow hygiene rules to protect others. In the archive, it was clear that children had adopted this narrative. We saw drawings of children fighting the coronavirus or step-by-step instructions for proper handwashing. What surprised us most, however, was how strongly children associated the pandemic with boredom and longing. I initially thought this might be more of an adult narrative. But while there were positive emotions too \u2013 such as enjoying not having to get up early \u2013 boredom and the desire to see friends again clearly dominated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/serwisnaukowy.uw.edu.pl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dzieciece-archiwum-pandemii-mip-uw-edu-pl-Hania-lat-65-kadr.jpg.webp\")
Children\u2019s pandemic archive<\/a>. Pictures and photos, texts. Instructions on how to wash your hands properly (\u201cIt\u2019s hanging in our bathroom,\u201d says the author). Author: Hania, age 6.5.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nChildhood studies in extraordinary circumstances<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSimilar research projects were carried out around the world at the same time. One example is the children\u2019s pandemic archive created by researchers in Ireland<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nBecause of lockdown restrictions, scholars often had to develop entirely new research methods adapted to pandemic conditions. Despite differences in local circumstances, many similarities emerged in how children across countries experienced the pandemic. At the same time, important differences reflected specific cultural and social contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study conducted by anthropologists from the University of Warsaw filled an important gap in Polish research. Until then, no comparable project had explored children\u2019s perspectives on the pandemic in Poland. As a result, the team not only documented the experiences of Polish children but also contributed valuable insights to the international field of childhood studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/serwisnaukowy.uw.edu.pl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dzieciece-archiwum-pandemii-mip-uw-edu-pl-Stas-lat-5-576x1024.jpg.webp\")
Coronavirus made of modeling clay. Children\u2019s pandemic archive<\/a>. Author: Sta\u015b, age 5.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAfter the pandemic: studying children\u2019s memories<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe pandemic has now passed, and the children who participated in the research are growing up. Researchers are therefore beginning to ask a new question: what do children actually remember from that time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scholars from the University of Warsaw are continuing their work by examining how the pandemic is remembered today. It is still too early to draw firm conclusions, but it is possible that what once seemed like a defining generational experience may fade more quickly than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost immediately after the pandemic ended, Polish children were confronted with another dramatic event: the outbreak of war across Poland\u2019s eastern border. Researchers suggest that, for the youngest generation, memories of COVID-19 may become intertwined with other crises \u2013 much like the trauma of the Great Influenza epidemic overlapped with the experience of World War I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, the Warsaw researchers emphasize that their work is more than just a case study. It also encourages a broader reflection on how societies treat their youngest members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope our research will encourage deeper reflection on the position of children in Polish society,\u201d says Prof. Maciejewska-Mroczek. \u201cAbroad, there is already a strong tradition of childhood studies, and we want this field to develop in Poland as well. For some time now, whenever we publish an academic book, we produce two volumes: one written in academic language and another in much simpler language that children can understand. This is our own idea \u2013 I haven\u2019t heard of anyone else in the world doing something quite like it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/serwisnaukowy.uw.edu.pl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dzieciece-archiwum-pandemii-mip-uw-edu-pl-Ania-lat-9-1024x768.jpg.webp\")
Coronavirus made of modeling clay. Children\u2019s pandemic archive<\/a>. Author: Sta\u015b, age 5.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The second project, Change. Children\u2019s experience of the pandemic<\/a>, focused on preschoolers and was conducted in cooperation with preschool teachers. In addition to research, the project aimed to create activities that helped children express their thoughts and feelings about the new reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third project involved a series of individual and group tasks carried out with children aged 5\u20137 and 7\u20139. One activity asked participants to create a pandemic \u201ctime capsule.\u201d This research took place in 2023 and explored how children reflected on the experience several years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each initiative offered a slightly different perspective on how children translated this unprecedented situation into their own language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt the beginning of the pandemic, children were portrayed as having a special responsibility,\u201d explains Prof. Ewa Maciejewska-Mroczek from the Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Warsaw. \u201cThey were told that although they themselves might not get seriously ill, they had to wash their hands and follow hygiene rules to protect others. In the archive, it was clear that children had adopted this narrative. We saw drawings of children fighting the coronavirus or step-by-step instructions for proper handwashing. What surprised us most, however, was how strongly children associated the pandemic with boredom and longing. I initially thought this might be more of an adult narrative. But while there were positive emotions too \u2013 such as enjoying not having to get up early \u2013 boredom and the desire to see friends again clearly dominated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar research projects were carried out around the world at the same time. One example is the children\u2019s pandemic archive created by researchers in Ireland<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of lockdown restrictions, scholars often had to develop entirely new research methods adapted to pandemic conditions. Despite differences in local circumstances, many similarities emerged in how children across countries experienced the pandemic. At the same time, important differences reflected specific cultural and social contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study conducted by anthropologists from the University of Warsaw filled an important gap in Polish research. Until then, no comparable project had explored children\u2019s perspectives on the pandemic in Poland. As a result, the team not only documented the experiences of Polish children but also contributed valuable insights to the international field of childhood studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pandemic has now passed, and the children who participated in the research are growing up. Researchers are therefore beginning to ask a new question: what do children actually remember from that time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scholars from the University of Warsaw are continuing their work by examining how the pandemic is remembered today. It is still too early to draw firm conclusions, but it is possible that what once seemed like a defining generational experience may fade more quickly than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost immediately after the pandemic ended, Polish children were confronted with another dramatic event: the outbreak of war across Poland\u2019s eastern border. Researchers suggest that, for the youngest generation, memories of COVID-19 may become intertwined with other crises \u2013 much like the trauma of the Great Influenza epidemic overlapped with the experience of World War I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, the Warsaw researchers emphasize that their work is more than just a case study. It also encourages a broader reflection on how societies treat their youngest members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe hope our research will encourage deeper reflection on the position of children in Polish society,\u201d says Prof. Maciejewska-Mroczek. \u201cAbroad, there is already a strong tradition of childhood studies, and we want this field to develop in Poland as well. For some time now, whenever we publish an academic book, we produce two volumes: one written in academic language and another in much simpler language that children can understand. This is our own idea \u2013 I haven\u2019t heard of anyone else in the world doing something quite like it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nChildhood studies in extraordinary circumstances<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After the pandemic: studying children\u2019s memories<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n