In the midst of this all, it is quite easy to forget to talk to your child or children about the coronavirus. Children display anxiety in different ways and while some are more resilient, others however may require earnest conversations to help answer questions and allay fears. We’ve done the job of putting together relevant tips for parents which we have sourced from reputable sources such as www.healthychildren.org (from the American Academy of Pediatrics) as well as the www.understood.org. Read away and hope this helps!
Validate Your Child’s Feelings
Busy parents may find it easy to dismiss their child’s attempt to talk about the coronavirus. While it’s a good idea to quickly reassure them that this is not something to worry about, talking about the situation and hearing what they have to say can help validate your child’s feelings. Try to address your child’s fear and respond with empathy. For example, parents can respond with ” I understand that you are feeling concerned about what is happening right now.” versus ” Things will be okay soon.”
Parents, Keep Your Own Anxiety in Check
Kids watch how parents act and respond to situations. Focusing on the facts during family conversations may be more productive and helpful rather than dwelling on the “what ifs”. Parents who act calm and rational may help settle anxiety over the virus at home. Lead by example.
Empower Kids to Take Control
If kids know more now about viruses than ever, take this opportunity to also teach them about a healthy immune system! Remind them of what they can do to fight off viruses such as regular and proper washing of hands, observing proper cough etiquette as well as maintaining healthy eating and sleeping habits.
Be on the Look-Out for Signs of Anxiety
Some kids may not necessarily say how they feel. It’s a good idea to observe if your child becomes more clingy, acts distracted or has trouble sleeping. Try to keep home routines as normal as possible.
Monitor Your Kids’ Media
Not all information is helpful for children. Parents may find it beneficial to practice monitoring what their child may be seeing on the television, computers or social media. Teach older children how to be critical viewers of news on social media and how to differentiate between fact and false news.
We’ll be posting some more articles and helpful activities for kids to do at home. Follow us on our social media pages. Cheers!
Sources: https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/coronavirus-concerns-helping-kids-cope , https://healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.aspx