No matter what your thoughts are about the pandemic, your kids have undoubtedly heard about coronavirus (CV). Maybe they’re school has been closed, they’ve had events cancelled, parents are all talking about it. Kids feel social stress. But they feel it differently than adults do. Here are 2 simple things you can do to help them get through this crazy time….
1. TALK to your kids about coronavirus- First learn what they have heard!
- Ask them- Have you heard grownups or your friends talking about CV? What are they saying? We often give kids more information than they need to know, so keep your answers age appropriate and simple. Like this, ‘Viruses are tiny germs that can make people sick. People pass them to each other by coughing and sneezing.’
- Calmly answer their questions at their level. It’s OK to say ‘I don’t know’.
-Discourage older kids from getting information from social media sources. For older kids, read the CDC website together for information.
-Reassure them that you are doing what you can do to prevent the spread. (make sure you ARE!)
2. Give them control- SHOW and TEACH them what they can do to help!
-Hand washing!! Even toddlers can learn to wash their hands correctly! Make it fun. Wet hands. Soap. Wash all areas for 20-30 seconds. (sing the ABCs or recite the Pledge of Allegiance) Rinse well. Dry. (change that towel often!)
-Cover coughs and sneezes!! Use a tissue and throw it away- then wash your hands. Or if no tissue is available, use your sleeve. Young children will make mistakes! Try to teach and show them, not shame them when they’ve made a mistake. Model this behavior yourself!
-Try not to touch your face!! ‘Sometimes people cough or sneeze on the things we touch, and when we put our fingers in our mouth, nose or eyes, the virus can make us sick too.’
-It’s important to stay home! ‘Most people, especially kids, won’t get very sick from this virus, BUT it CAN make older people very sick, so when we stay home, we are protecting them.’
-Its ok to worry. Show them that you are doing everything you can to keep your family healthy. Let them help you clean. Show them how you reduce stress. Call distant family and friends to reassure them distant family members are ok. Search for kids’ meditations on YouTube, and meditate with them. (what a great time to teach kids how to meditate- and ourselves too!) And most importantly, be there to talk with them when they need to.
Check out these websites for kids info:
-Live Science Website for Kids’ Info: https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-kids-guide.html
-American Academy of Pediatrics Info for Parents: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.aspx
-CDC: Talking with Children about Coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html
Mary Roth is an RN, BSN, Certified Public Health Nurse, Certified Life and Health Coach who has practiced for over 35 years. She has over 30 years of school nursing experience, and has extensive experience writing policies and health coaching protocol for school districts as well as the VA.