From place to space: field insights on adapting child-friendly spaces during COVID-19

While COVID-19 is not currently perceived as a serious disease threat to children, its indirect effects as a pandemic on their lives and psychosocial well-being may be profound. Child-friendly spaces (CFS) may therefore be all the more important, particularly in fragile contexts of displacement.

In this publication, the authors consider two questions:

1. How can we shift the physical place to a conceptual space that would stay true to the original aims and proven results of CFS?
2. Is it possible to promote positive mental health and psychosocial outcomes for children, while also mitigating the risk of COVID transmission?

Four recommendations for adapting child friendly spaces in the context of global health emergencies are provided. Read the article to find out more.