Stuti Joshi
8, Growing Up In A Time Of Uncertainty
As a 3rd grader, Stuti is bursting with energy and fun anecdotes about what life is like for an elementary school student. But when asked about the pandemic, Stuti becomes shy and a bit more reflective.
Having recently moved into a new house, there's a lot of change ensuing in Stuti's life. But like most kids, she isn't all that phased. Everything feels exciting and new, and when she is puzzled by something, she has no trouble asking questions.
During our conversation, we talk about how Stuti is adjusting to online learning, what she does to stay busy when she's not in class, and how she understands COVID-19.
Photographed and Interviewed by Alexandra Cali
November 19, 2020
Getting To Know Stuti
Alexandra Cali: How are you feeling today?
Stuti Joshi: I feel good! It's cool that you are here.
AC: I think it's cool, too! What have you been up to these days?
SJ: I go to school at the Strawberry Hill School.
AC: Have you been able to attend in person classes?
SJ: No, I do all my schoolwork at home on my ChromeBook.
AC: What has that been like for you?
SJ: It is very different. I used to be able to see and play with all my classmates. We could touch and run. Now I only see them on Google Classroom.
AC: How does that change make you feel?
SJ: Sometimes I miss being able to do after school clubs or playing on the playground. It was so much fun to go to school somewhere else. We don't get to do that anymore. Sometimes it's hard. I don't know when all of this will end, I wish I did.
AC: Yeah, that's a big change. I know you recently moved right next door to me! Were you excited to move?
SJ: Yes, so excited. I love this house because it is so beautiful. I have my own bathroom, and it has pink tiles with white sea shells. As soon as I saw the bathroom, I said, "we have to get this house."
AC: I'm glad you love it so much! Do you think you will have friends over in the future.
SJ: Yes! I will show them my room. My room is pink and red like my teddy [bear]. I love those colors so much. We will play up there probably. My room is upstairs!
She gestures to ceiling.
SJ: I love it up there.
School Life And Free Time
AC: You love so many things! What do you love to learn about in school?
SJ: Math. I'm very good at doing equations and learning new skills.
AC: Is it hard to learn math online?
SJ: Sometimes yes, sometimes no. When I understand what I'm doing, I can go so fast. Other times, it can be hard and I get frustrated. But I always stay calm. Even when my baby brother comes in during lessons. He can be so loud. He's two.
AC: That's so different from how classes were at school, huh? You have a whole new learning environment. Is it hard to use Google Classroom?
SJ: It's not that hard. My teacher helps us all a lot, and I'm pretty good with my ChromeBook.
AC: Did you know how to use a computer all by yourself before the pandemic?
SJ: Kinda. I have been getting a lot better. I know how to use my iPad too.
AC: Wow! What do you do on your iPad?
SJ: I FaceTime my friends and we will play. Or sometimes I play games on apps.
AC: When you FaceTime, do you start the call or does your mom?
SJ: I can do it by myself. It's not very hard.
AC: What games do you guys play on FaceTime?
SJ: We do different competitions: drawing, singing, dancing. We will start a timer and everyone will have to make something or perform before it goes off.
AC: That's amazing! So for the drawing competition, once the timer goes off do you hold up your work and then score each other?
SJ: Nope. No scores. Just draw.
AC: That's a very smart game, Stuti! You guys are so creative!
SJ: It's really fun. I like dancing the most. I did a dancing camp awhile ago, and I miss that. I want to go back.
Understanding COVID And Looking Ahead
AC: Do you get to play outside very often?
SJ: Not really. I can only play with my brother, so we stay inside. And we don't go to the playground anymore.
AC: Do you know why you aren't going to the playground anymore?
SJ: I think because of COVID-19.
AC: What is COVID-19?
SJ: It's basically a virus. And if you catch it, you can get very sick. Even die.
AC: Is that scary to hear?
SJ: Yes. I get very scared when people talk about dying. That's why it's so important to social distance. So we all can stay safe.
AC: You know that it won't be like this forever, right?
SJ: Yeah, I know. Do you get scared?
AC: Sometimes it's a lot, to hear all that stuff on the news. But there are so many doctors and nurses doing amazing work to make sure we stay healthy. It's okay to be scared, but the feeling doesn't last forever.
SJ: That's true.
AC: What are you most looking forward to doing once the pandemic ends.
SJ: I want to go to the playground at my school, and I'll do monkey bars and go down the slide! My brother and my parents will come too. And we are going to run around so so much!
AC: Does thinking about that make you feel happy?
SJ: It makes me feel so happy.
We ended our conversation with some dancing.
