“I Watched my Child Become Half of the Person They Were”: Emergency Remote Learning Experiences Among Primary Caregivers of Elementary School Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Transitioning to emergency remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic substantially impacted families; however, the lived experiences of caregivers with young children regarding this transition remain largely unexplored in Canada. The purpose of this paper was to report on how primary caregivers of school-aged children experienced this shift. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 caregivers. Analysis revealed five findings: (1) emotional challenges; (2) home environment-related challenges; (3) gaps in learning; (4) schooling choices; and (5) school supports. Decision makers must ensure that equitable supports that attend to the needs of students and caregivers in relation to emergency remote learning are implemented.