Tips for talking to Kids about covid-19
Tips to Talking to Kids about COVID-19
Your child’s routines have been drastically changed. There are a lot of unknowns such as when they will return to school or daycare, when they will be able to see their friends again, and when their parents will return to work. They may see people walking around grocery stores wearing surgical masks and gloves. This can be very scary for us all, especially a child that is still learning the world around them. It’s important for us to take time to talk to our children about what is going on around them and how they feel about it. Here are a few things to keep in mind during these discussions.
Guard the information your child receives and the way they receive it. If you are anxious, take time to calm down before having this discussion with your child. Children not only hear what you say, but they pick up on cues of how you feel based on how you say things as well. Be mindful of the amount of COVID-19 related news that you play in the home or car. Your child hears what you hear, even if it seems like they are not paying attention. Also, try to avoid having strong reactions to news received about COVID-19 in the presence of your child. You do not want your child to perceive COVID-19 as a big scary unbeatable monster. In addition to the sad stories, there are stories of hope and survival. Make sure that the information your child receives is balanced-not just scary.
Listen. Comfort. Support. Find out what information your child already has. Try to get them to explain what they already know. Try to get them to ask you questions. Also, try to get them to talk about their feelings. Help them put their emotions into words. Listen to what they say. Correct misinformation, but do not cut them off or dismiss how they feel. Provide them with comfort. Provide them with support. This will help them feel comfortable speaking with you and coming to you with more questions in the future.
Age appropriate discussions. Don’t volunteer too much information to your child. Too much information may be overwhelming and confusing to them. Speak to your child using terms and analogies for things that they understand. Avoid the use of language that may lead to stigma or blame. Make sure that you are honest and accurate in the information that you provide.
Empower them to combat COVID-19. Educate your child on steps they can take to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Model these behaviors as well. Hand washing with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or their elbow. Keeping their hands out of their mouth, nose, and eyes. Keeping their distance from people who are sick. Social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others. Keeping things clean at home including commonly touched surfaces (light switches, alarms, cell phones, remote controls, etc.).
Help them keep parts of their routines. Same as adults, routines help children feel anchored, in control, and safe. It is important that we try to keep as many of their normal routines in place. Morning, grooming, and bedtime habits such as brushing their teeth, changing into pj’s before bed, and reading their bedtime story should be maintained. They should also continue to do some schoolwork and be allowed time for outside play. Allow them to Facetime or have a zoom meeting with their friends and close family members under your supervision. Help them maintain some sense of normalcy.
With school closures, cancellations of extracurricular, time off from work, and mandates to work from home, many of us have more time with our children than we have had in a while. We should enjoy this time and use it to strengthen our time together. Have movie nights, play board games, play outside in the yard, and make sure that you keep the lines of communication open.
OHCC Behavioral Health Team