Children's Understanding of Viruses and Viral Transmission

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Eighteen
  In Roundtable Session: Responding to Emerging Scientific and Societal Changes (Table 18)

Abstract

Having a robust understanding of viruses, vaccines, and their relation to diseases is integral for children in the present day. However, currently viruses and disease transmission are not included in the standards for science education in the US. In order to create lessons that build on children’s knowledge, we need to know what children understand at different ages. To this end, in this ongoing study, we recruited 94 children ages 5-12. In two virtual sessions, we assessed their understanding of COVID and flu viruses. Overall, we find that children have some understanding of viruses, but tend to anthropomorphize them. Children have a basic understanding of disease transmission, but asymptomatic carriers are challenging. This knowledge can help inform future science lessons.

Authors

• David Menendez, University of California - Santa Cruz
  Presenting Author

• Tania Dhaliwal, University of Michigan
  Non-Presenting Author

• Danielle Labotka, University of Michigan
  Non-Presenting Author

• Maria Kathleen Scavnicky, University of Michigan
  Non-Presenting Author

• Susan Gelman
  Non-Presenting Author