OUR STORIES, OUR VOICES: THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF MARGINALIZED FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN DURING COVID-19 &ldquo;STAY-AT-HOME&rdquo; PHASE

Marites  B. Chan,; Cathylyn                                              A. Recalde,

OUR STORIES, OUR VOICES: THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF MARGINALIZED FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN DURING COVID-19 “STAY-AT-HOME” PHASE

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of marginalized families raising young children during stay-at-home orders and distance learning due to Covid-19. The study was conducted virtually through Zoom and Google form due to country quarantine orders. Participants were recruited from Matina Biao Elementary School, Tugbok district, Davao City, the school in which the researcher worked. Through the use of virtual interviews, the five participant-parents highlighted themes of reconnections, isolation, empowerment, family values and conversations. The families shared experiences of resilience and hope and brought thoughts of how these experiences could be highlighted in instructional and curriculum designs, especially during distance learning. The experiences of marginalized parents were organized according to the following themes: (a) reconnections, (b) isolations, (c) sense of self, (d) family time - affirming, validating and honouring my baby, (e) tough conversations. Their reactions regarding distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic were organized according to the following themes: (a) connections around instruction; (b) disconnection from school as a community and resource. The lessons learned for policy formulation are (a) relying on my own resources and (b) mental health in a pandemic. Implications and future directions of the study are presented.