It\u2019s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you\u2019re hearing about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) right now. It\u2019s also understandable if your children are feeling anxious, too. Children might find it difficult to understand what they are seeing online or on TV \u2013 or hearing from other people \u2013 so they can be particularly vulnerable to feelings of anxiety, stress and sadness. But having an open, supportive discussion with your children can help them understand, cope and even make a positive contribution for others.
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Start by inviting your child to talk about the issue. Find out how much they already know and follow their lead. If they are particularly young and haven\u2019t already heard about the outbreak, you may not need to raise the issue \u2013 just take the chance to remind them about good hygiene practices without introducing new fears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure you are in a safe environment and allow your child to talk freely. Drawing, stories and other activities may help to open up a discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most importantly, don\u2019t minimize or avoid their concerns. Be sure to acknowledge their feelings and assure them that it\u2019s natural to feel scared about these things. Demonstrate that you\u2019re listening by giving them your full attention, and make sure they understand that they can talk to you and their teachers whenever they like.
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Children have a right to truthful information about what\u2019s going on in the world, but adults also have a responsibility to keep them safe from distress. Use age-appropriate language, watch their reactions, and be sensitive to their level of anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can\u2019t answer their questions, don\u2019t guess. Use it as an opportunity to explore the answers together. Websites of international organizations like UNICEF and the World Health Organization are great sources of information. Explain that some information online isn\u2019t accurate, and that it\u2019s best to trust the experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the best ways to keep children safe from coronavirus and other diseases is to simply encourage regular handwashing. It doesn’t need to be a scary conversation. Sing along with The Wiggles or follow this dance to make learning fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also show children how to cover a cough or a sneeze with their elbow, explain that it\u2019s best not to get too close to people who have those symptoms, and ask them to tell you if they start to feel like they have a fever, cough or are having difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we\u2019re seeing lots of troubling images on TV or online, it can sometimes feel like the crisis is all around us. Children may not distinguish between images on screen and their own personal reality, and they may believe they\u2019re in imminent danger. You can help your children cope with the stress by making opportunities for them to play and relax, when possible. Keep regular routines and schedules as much as possible, especially before they go to sleep, or help create new ones in a new environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are experiencing an outbreak in your area, remind your children that they are not likely to catch the disease, that most people who do have coronavirus don\u2019t get very sick, and that lots of adults are working hard to keep your family safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your child does feel unwell, explain that they have to stay at home\/at the hospital because it is safer for them and their friends. Reassure them that you know it is hard (maybe scary or even boring) at times, but that following the rules will help keep everyone safe.
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The outbreak of coronavirus has brought with it numerous reports of racial discrimination around the world, so it\u2019s important to check that your children are neither experiencing nor contributing to bullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Explain that coronavirus has nothing to do with what someone looks like, where they are from or what language they speak. If they have been called names or bullied at school, they should feel comfortable telling an adult whom they trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remind your children that everyone deserves to be safe at school. Bullying is always wrong and we should each do our part to spread kindness and support each other.
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It\u2019s important for children to know that people are helping each other with acts of kindness and generosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Share stories of health workers, scientists and young people, among others, who are working to stop the outbreak and keep the community safe. It can be a big comfort to know that compassionate people are taking action.
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You\u2019ll be able to help your kids better if you\u2019re coping, too. Children will pick up on your own response to the news, so it helps them to know you\u2019re calm and in control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re feeling anxious or upset, take time for yourself and reach out to other family, friends and trusted people in your community. Make some time to do things that help you relax and recuperate.
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It\u2019s important to know that we\u2019re not leaving children in a state of distress. As your conversation wraps up, try to gauge their level of anxiety by watching their body language, considering whether they\u2019re using their usual tone of voice and watching their breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remind your children that they can have other difficult conversations with you at any time. Remind them that you care, you\u2019re listening and that you\u2019re available whenever they\u2019re feeling worried.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you\u2019re hearing about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) right now. It\u2019s also understandable if your children are feeling anxious, too. Children might find it difficult to understand what they are seeing online or on TV \u2013 or hearing from other people \u2013 so they can be particularly vulnerable to feelings of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1813,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[24],"class_list":["post-61","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-boyun-agrisi","tag-covid-19"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n