How to Talk to Kids About the Coronavirus
By Martina Roggero, LMFTA, Hallowell Todaro Therapist
With the increased news coverage on the coronavirus COVID-19, children are exposed more and more to information. They might be wondering what this is all about, they might experience the fear and worrisome showed by the people around them, and they might be hearing misinformation. As adults and parents, what can we do to keep children informed without alarming and terrifying them?
Here some tips:
Talk about it
Children are perspicacious. They have already heard about the virus, noticed people wearing masks, and started to wonder what this is all about. Parents should talk about it. Avoiding a conversation about the virus might make the child even more worried.
Keep it simple
Children get overwhelmed with long explanation, and perhaps they get bored and distracted. Therefore, try to explain the virus and the situation with a simple and age appropriate language. Stick to what are the symptoms, how we can prevent it, and how experts are working hard to help people that are sick and to prevent other individuals to get infected.
Validate your child’s feelings and their experience
To feel safe, children need to feel heard and seen. Therefore, listen to your child, help them label their emotions, be available to answer their questions and invite them to tell you anything they know or want to know about the virus, and validate their experience and feelings.
Focus on what you are doing to be safe and get them involved in the prevention plan
Because children, as adults, feel empowered when they know that they can do something to keep themselves safe, talk to them about all the precautions you are taking to prevent the virus. In addition, ask them for ideas: “What else do you think we need to do to be healthy?” “We have to wash our hands for 20 seconds: what song we could sing while washing our hands?”
Manage your own feelings
Children look to their parents for information on how to read situations and assess for safety. If a parent appears fearful or anxious, the child will determine that the situation is dangerous. Therefore, if you are feeling anxious about the virus, it might not be the best time to start a conversation with your child. Take some time to calm yourself down and focus on the things that are reassuring. Answer your child’s question when you are grounded and calm.
Get the facts
It is helpful to stick to the facts rather than misinformation and alarmism. Here a couple of trustworthy websites: https://www.cdc.gov ; https://www.who.int.
Keep talking
Give your child the space to further talk about his emotions and experience. As Daniel Siegel explained, “Name it to Tame it” is strategy that helps children get in control of their overwhelming emotions and understand their experiences. By helping your child tell their story of what is upsetting them, concerns, fears, worries, and naming the emotions they are experiencing, you help them make sense of their experience as well as feel more in control of it. Keep helping your kid to tell their stories about the virus and validate them.
References:
https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/pandemics
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/