Representações Sociais dos pais sobre a educação a distância para crianças na pandemia da COVID-19

ObjectiveIdentify parents’ social representations (SRs) regarding distance learning for children during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodA total of 455 parents participated, with the majority being female (93.2%) and with an average age of 37.31 years (SD = 7.305). Data were collected through an online form and processed using the IRAMuTeQ software, which allowed for Descending Hierarchical Classification.ResultsDescending Hierarchical Classification analysis revealed polarized social representations regarding the strategy for children, with one group considering it inadequate and another viewing it as a temporary necessity, also indicating parents’ affective ambivalence towards the mediation process of their children’s education. These findings also indicated that social representations varied according to participants’ sociodemographic characteristics.ConclusionIt is deemed necessary for relevant authorities to consider parents’ evaluation and particularities when implementing this teaching strategy for children.