A primary school in Hangzhou took inspiration from the headgear worn by ministers in the Song dynasty, to reinforce lessons on social distancing.
In those days, Song emperor ordered his ministers to wear hats with two long wings on the sides so that they could not chitchat in court assemblies without being overheard.
The World Health Organisation recommends that people stay at least a metre apart to curb the spread of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
“If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the Covid-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease,” WHO advises.
Thus, students at the school wore their own handmade versions of the hats, which have long extensions, or wings, to keep them at least a metre apart when they returned to school on Monday.
An early childhood education specialist said the hats were a good way to explain the concept of social distancing to young children, who find it difficult to understand abstract concepts.
“As children can see and feel these hats, and when the ‘wings’ hit one another, they may be more able to understand the expectations and remember to keep their physical distance,” said Ian Lam Chun-bun, associate head of the department of early childhood education at The Education University of Hong Kong.
Credit : WeiboBesides that, using pictures of footprints to indicate the right distance to keep when queuing, standing, and even talking to schoolmates was also helpful, said Lam, who recommended visual aids and aids that stimulate other senses, such as hearing and touch.
Maybe the school here should consider this cute little social distancing hats too?