Parents and Kids
Talking to young kids about COVID-19 and how they can help prevent the spread is as important as ever. Experts say having COVID conversations can be challenging for all adults.
Some adults explain to their children that there is a new special cold going around that can be serious for some people and say everyone is staying away from each other to try and keep everyone safe.
So what else can we say to our young kids?
The goal is to provide enough detail so they understand the situation and know how to stay safe, but not cause them fear, confusion, or anxiety.
Try to reframe the conversation and simplify the details. Children don’t need to know the number of positive cases or deaths.
Focus on the positives like what we can do to prevent the spread of the virus and the stories of companies producing face masks and hand sanitizer, as well as the social media movements that people are taking part in. Young children should have a basic understanding of what's going on but not have the full burden of the situation placed on their shoulders.
Parents should check in regularly to ensure their kids know the facts and don't get caught up in rumors. Nowadays, kids have more opportunities to be exposed to harmful topics, and social media, the internet, and chat groups make it easier for them to get information, some of which hasn’t been verified.
It's important that parents know the facts so they can translate that information into a developmentally appropriate and simplified explanation for their kids.
Anxious children often haven’t developed the coping skills necessary to deal with stressful situations or big changes in their lives.
For parents of anxious kids, it’s essential to practice usual de-stressing activities. Try keeping your kids busy and their minds on other things as much as possible.
Remind them that doctors and healthcare workers are doing everything they can and helping everyone so they don't get sick.
Since the weather has warmed up, it's become harder to keep kids inside. Generally, letting them play outside is fine as long as they stay with their immediate family members and they continue to practice proper hygiene.
Other great ways to keep them busy include:
Parents must realize that how they say something is just as important as what they say.
Kids are excellent at picking up on body language and recognizing your worries and anxieties through your actions. Parents need to be cognizant of the anxiety level that they show their kids and try to stay calm when discussing the coronavirus.
Making a concerted effort to talk directly to kids about the coronavirus avoids having them listening into adult conversations and potentially overhearing concerns that would scare them.
Avoid letting your young children be present during adult conversations that touch on things like the number of confirmed cases, death rates, the economy, and any “big picture forecasts.”
