While parents grapple with the current health crisis that brings with it feelings of uncertainty, worry and anxiety, children also find themselves with many of those same feelings, including fear, frustration and confusion. Kids will look to their parents in this situation for guidance about what’s going on, how to respond and what they should be doing to stay safe. Savethechildren.org shares seven useful tips on how to talk to your kids about the coronavirus:
- Get informed by the experts and share facts.
- While using only facts, customize your approach to your discussions with your child about the crisis. Consider if more information sharing makes them more or less anxious.
- When discussing the subject, do so in language your child understands and present it in a calm manner. Kids will take cues from your demeanor on the manner. For example, it may be appropriate and enough to say to your child, “There are germs around making people sick. If we stay indoors, we can stay safe.” For others, it may be appropriate to speak more technically about the crisis. Again, adapt your language to be most meaningful, yet assuring, to your child.
- Ask your child what they know and what they’ve heard. Answer questions they may have and be sure to address any misinformation.
- Acknowledge and validate their feelings of worry and frustration. Reassure them with language like, “I understand this can be scary. We’re taking steps to keep healthy, and we’re well prepared.”
- Remind children to focus on what they can control such as washing their hands thoroughly, coughing and sneezing into their elbow, completing their schoolwork, etc.
- Model good hygiene and try to keep things at home light and fun! Sing a favorite song while washing hands, make fun sensory bins, and take advantage of the time you have together to take your focus off of the crisis.
If you think your child will benefit from some visual supports to explain the current situation, there are a few resources out there that can help:
- For children that are fans of superheroes: This is a 7 minute video that explains why it’s important to stay home and how staying home can help fight the “big problem” like a superhero.
- Here is another short video that explains the virus in simple terms, and again, why it’s important to stay home right now.
- Finally, NPR provides a fun comic strip and 3-minute audio lesson on the virus for kids that addresses many common questions they may be having about the pandemic.
- Here is a social story written about the coronavirus to help alleviate fears and anxiety many children may be experiencing at this time.
We hope the above information is helpful to you during this time. SBS is offering telehealth sessions to support families through this pandemic. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact us. We’re here to help.
Sources
How to talk to your kids about coronavirus. (March 2020). SaveTheChildren.org
Gharib, M. (February 28, 2020). Just for kids: A comic exploring the new coronavirus. NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus