“Afraid that everything will be new”: Pandemic-born children begin primary school

Mía moved restlessly around her home before leaving for her first day of primary school. Born during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was joining the generation now beginning a new stage as Mexico opened the 2026-2027 school year for about 28 million students.

“

I tell Fabián that I cried earlier when I went to drop Dorian off at high school. I became very nervous. He doesn't even know how to take a bus. I thought he did, and we got on the wrong one.

Her mother, Ariana, prepared the younger children while Mía's father, Fabián, finished packing her backpack. Ariana described a mixture of anxiety and emotion, recalling her own nervousness when she previously dropped off her older son. She said Mía appeared nervous but ready, while also admitting she felt “afraid that everything will be new.”

Mía said she was looking forward to making friends and learning to write better. After a short car ride, she reached the school with her family just before the gate closed. The children later gathered in the courtyard for the opening ceremony, where the first-year pupils watched with curiosity and nervous movements. After the hymns, the school welcomed the newcomers with a small gift.

“

I feel nervous because it is a change both for him and for me.

When the groups entered their classrooms, Mía's family went to hug her and wish her luck. She picked up her things, smiled, and told them, “See you later.” Dante arrived holding his grandmother Laura's hand. She currently raises him and said she felt very nervous because the change affected both of them. She had chosen the afternoon shift for him so he could socialize, although the account ends before describing the rest of his first day.

“

See you later.