Early Childhood and Lockdown: The Challenge of Building a Virtual Mutual Support Network between Children, Families and School for Sustainable Education and Increasing Their Well-Being
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The topic of study is very interesting and up-to-date.
The children's education in times of covid has substantially affected the quality of children's education.
In the following, I detail a number of areas for improvement.
In the introduction there is insufficient background to contextualise the research problem. It is true that it is a very current issue (the pandemic started in 2020), but there is a growing body of contextualised research on this topic. For this reason, I do not think the authors have a problem in extending the background.
The authors should include the objectives and research questions at the end of the introduction section. Although in the method section the authors assume that they have already discussed the objectives previously, this is not clear. Please clarify this point. It is essential.
In relation to the participants, what was the contact like? It is understood that all parents belong to the same class, but no reasons are given as to why these participants were selected and not others.
The extracts from the whatsAp text are not sufficient to support the categories provided.
The discussion should be more robust to support the findings of the study.
The conclusions are consistent.
Author Response
Dear reviewer 1,
First of all, we would like to thank you for your interesting comments and reviews. which are really useful to improve our paper: “Early Childhood and Lockdown: The Challenge of Building a Virtual Mutual Support Network between Children, Families and School for Sustainable Education and Increasing their well-being”.
Below you can find a detailed account of the revisions made (marked in bold) on the basis of your comments:
Response to Reviewer 1 Comments
Point 1: In the introduction there is not enough background to contextualise the research problem. It is true that this is a very topical issue (the pandemic started in 2020), but there is an increasing amount of contextualised research on this topic. Therefore, I do not think the authors would have a problem with expanding on the background. The authors should include the objectives and research questions at the end of the introduction section. Although in the method section the authors assume that they have already discussed the objectives previously, this is not clear. Please clarify this point. It is essential.
Response 1: We have re-write the introduction expanding on the background and the state of the art. Also, we clarify the objectives and research questions.
Regarding to the contextualization of research problem, see page 1, 2, line 30-72.
About the objectives and research questions, see page 3, line 127-149.
Point 2: In relation to the participants, what was the contact like? It is understood that all parents belong to the same class, but no reasons are given as to why these participants were selected and not others.
Response 2: We clarify the sampling process. It is purposive, availability and convenience sampling process, and the description of participants.
See page 6, line 276-282.
Point 3: The discussion should be stronger to support the conclusions of the study.
Response 3: We have reviewed the discussion reinforcing its link to the theoretical reviewed and conclusions and adding new bibliography.
See page 11, line 519-526.
Reviewer 2 Report
A very interesting qualitative study with interesting conclusions.
The Introduction leaves something to be desired. For the non-Spanish reader, a more detailed characterisation of the technical solutions adopted in remote education would be useful, that is:
1. what platform is used in Spanish schools for remote learning? Are the schools free to do so or is some kind of solution imposed by the state?
2) How long do the remote classes last for each age group? Are the lessons shorter than those taught at school?
3) Are there any studies/publications on the effects/experience/other conditions of remote education in Spain during the pandemic?
Besides, I would propose to enrich the theoretical part with an analysis of documents and studies on remote education, produced by international institutions, and scientific publications on the subject, e.g:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7209972/
https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NCSEHE_V2_Final_literaturereview-learningathome-covid19-final_30042020.pdf
https://www.cell.com/heliyon/pdf/S2405-8440(20)32325-2.pdf
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/08/sg_policy_brief_covid-19_and_education_august_2020.pdf
https://www.unicef.org/brazil/media/10006/file/remote-learning-factsheet.pdf
http://www.itspa.edu.mx/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/covid3.pdf
https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/unesco-covid-19-response-toolkit-remote-learning-strategy.pdf
Author Response
Dear reviewer 2,
First of all, we would like to thank you for your interesting comments and reviews. which are really useful to improve our paper: “Early Childhood and Lockdown: The Challenge of Building a Virtual Mutual Support Network between Children, Families and School for Sustainable Education and Increasing their well-being”.
Below you can find a detailed account of the revisions made (marked in bold) on the basis of your comments:
Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
Point 1: The introduction leaves something to be desired. For the non-Spanish reader, a more detailed characterisation of the technical solutions adopted in distance learning would be useful, i.e. 1) What platform is used in Spanish schools for distance learning, are schools free to do so, or is there some kind of state-imposed solution?
2) How long are the distance classes for each age group and are the classes shorter than those taught at school?
3) Are there any studies/publications on the effects/experiences/other conditions of distance education in Spain during the pandemic?
Response 1: We have re-write the introduction, clarifying information about the lockdown in Spain and the characteristics about the process of virtualisation of learning in that context, highlighting potentialities and specially, limitations.
About bout the lockdown in Spain and the characteristics about the process of virtualisation of learning in that context, see page 2, line 56-72; 76-79.
Regarding other studies on the effects/experiences/other conditions of distance education in Spain during the pandemic, see page 14-15, line 666-667, 674-675, 692-693, 726-727, 731-732, 736-737.
Point 2: In addition, I would propose to enrich the theoretical part with an analysis of documents and studies on distance education, produced by international institutions, and scientific publications on the subject, e.g.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7209972/
https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NCSEHE_V2_Final_literaturereview-learningathome-covid19-final_30042020.pdf
https://www.cell.com/heliyon/pdf/S2405-8440(20)32325-2.pdf
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/08/sg_policy_brief_covid-19_and_education_august_2020.pdf
https://www.unicef.org/brazil/media/10006/file/remote-learning-factsheet.pdf
http://www.itspa.edu.mx/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/covid3.pdf
https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/unesco-covid-19-response-toolkit-remote-learning-strategy.pdf
Response 2: We have consulted and read these interesting materials and we have included them in the text.
See page 2, 3; line 73-126.
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear authors,
In my opinion the paper is more an analysis of a study case (Cargol true banyes) than an experimental project.
1.- The document lacks an introduction where to put very important aspects such as:
- The limits of previous research that justify the need of the article.
- Motivation of the choice of research. Method or design
- Description of the main results and main findings.
Please consider adding a purpose statement and research questions.
Please consider adding clear objectives.
2.- In 2.2 there may be some contradictions:
Regarding family conciliation, were there no problems regarding family conciliation in the experience?
Regarding the economic cost of electronic devices and Internet connection. Were there no problems in the experience?
Regarding the academic training of parents. Can it be extrapolated to other families?
3.- Conclusions do not respond to goals followed by the study. Moreover I must add that conclusions are not a synthesis of key research issues.
4.- It would be of interest that the paper suggests additional research to be undertaken.
Sincerely,
Author Response
Dear reviewer 3,
First of all, we would like to thank you for your interesting comments and reviews. which are really useful to improve our paper: “Early Childhood and Lockdown: The Challenge of Building a Virtual Mutual Support Network between Children, Families and School for Sustainable Education and Increasing their well-being”.
Below you can find a detailed account of the revisions made (marked in bold) on the basis of your comments:
Response to Reviewer 3 Comments
Point 1: In section 2.2 there may be some contradictions: Regarding family conciliation, were there no problems of family conciliation in the experience?
Regarding the economic cost of electronic devices and Internet connection, were there no problems in the experience?
Regarding the academic background of the parents, can this be extrapolated to other families?
Response 1: We have added nuances in the introduction (following other reviewer’s comments) about family conciliation challenges, the background of families and their access to electronic devices, Internet connection and digital skills. And also, we reinforce the idea that eLearning emphasises the role of parents in children's learning, especially in terms of digital skills, being able to provide them with devices, and taking the time to help and guide them in their school work. And, in section 2.2. we have reviewed it focused on the impacts of lockdown on early childhood education and, we have completed the text with new references, which are worked previously in the introduction.
See page 2, 3; line 73-126.
See page 5, line 210-241.
Point 2: the conclusions do not respond to the objectives of the study. Furthermore, I must add that the conclusions are not a synthesis of the key questions of the research.
Response 2: We have re-written clarifying the objectives of the study and research questions in the introduction, and we have extended the background in order to reinforce the links between the introduction, results, discussion and conclusions. Besides, we have included new references to strengthen the general coherence of the text.
See page 2-4, line 56-149.
See page 12, line 582-603.
Point 3: - It would be interesting if the study suggested further research to be carried out.
Response 3: We have included in the conclusions a future interesting research lines to carry out regarding the topics covered in the article.
See page 13, line 608-614.
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors have improved the quality of the article compared to the previous version. However, the article still has some areas for improvement. The results expressed do not make a strong contribution to the literature. Neither do the conclusions and findings drawn from these whatsapp groups. There is a lack of work to argue the categories indicated.Author Response
Dear reviewer 1,
First of all, we would like to thank you for your interesting comments and reviews. which are really useful to improve our paper: “Early Childhood and Lockdown: The Challenge of Building a Virtual Mutual Support Network between Children, Families and School for Sustainable Education and Increasing their well-being”.
Below you can find a detailed account of the revisions made (marked in bold) on the basis of your comments:
Response to Reviewer 1 Comments
Point 1: There is a lack of papers arguing for the categories indicated.
Response 1: We have made it even more explicit that the methodology developed is grounded theory and that this is defined as the discovery of theory from data obtained systematically in social research, in which the researcher is totally immersed in the information to be analysed. The construction of the categories that articulate the results and conclusions is inductive and derives from the classification, coding and categorisation of the data. Therefore, this methodological approach does not start from established conceptual frameworks, as it seeks to allow the data themselves to construct these categories and guide the results and conclusions.
See page 6, line 270-281
See page, 7, line 318-338
Point 2: The authors have improved the quality of the article compared to the previous version. However, the article still has some room for improvement. The results expressed do not make a solid contribution to the literature. Neither do the conclusions and results drawn from these whatsapp groups
Response 2: We have re-written clarifying the objectives of the study and research questions in the introduction, and we have extended the background in order to reinforce the links between the introduction, methodology, results, discussion and conclusions. Besides, we have included new references to strengthen the general coherence of the text.
Regarding to contextualization of research problem, see page 1, 2, line 30-72; 2-4, line 56-149.
About the gaps in the literature, objectives and research questions, see page 3, line 127-149.
About conclusions, see page 13, line 616-648.
Reviewer 2 Report
I appreciate the work done by the Authors to improve the article. I believe that the changes made are to the advantage of the text. Thank you for your fruitful cooperation!
Author Response
Dear reviewer 2,
Thank you for your interesting comments and reviews. which are really useful to improve our paper: “Early Childhood and Lockdown: The Challenge of Building a Virtual Mutual Support Network between Children, Families and School for Sustainable Education and Increasing their well-being”.
Thanks again,
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear authors,
The authors have made important changes. The article has improved.
The objective is defined correctly. The conclusion solves and explains the objectives set.
The introduction is clearer than in the first versión.
Sincerely
Author Response
Dear reviewer 3,
Thank you for your interesting comments and reviews. which are really useful to improve our paper: “Early Childhood and Lockdown: The Challenge of Building a Virtual Mutual Support Network between Children, Families and School for Sustainable Education and Increasing their well-being”.
Thanks again,
Round 3
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors have improved the manuscript from the previous version. They have incorporated my suggestions.
