Talking to Your Kids About Coronavirus

Turn on any news station, open any social media platform, and you’re likely to see some mention of the Coronavirus. Unfortunately, this pandemic doesn’t appear to be subsiding any time soon. As a result, fear and anxiety levels are rising, and parents have been asking me how they should talk to their children about Coronavirus. With that in mind, below are some tips for reducing anxiety, as well as ideas for fun things to do at home to keep the focus on something else.

Reducing Coronavirus Related Anxiety Your Kids

Rather than re-invent the wheel, here are the general principles the CDC recommends for talking to your kids about Coronavirus:

Remain calm and reassuring.

Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.

I’ll add to this that it’s important to keep a level head about this virus for your own mental health as well. When we get into panic-mode we sometimes make irrational decisions, and lead others to do the same. Even when we don’t intend to display our panic, we can influence others around us to be panicked as well. A great example of this is hoarding supplies like toilet paper and paper towels. Panic begets panic.

Make yourself available to listen and to talk.

Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.

Don’t try to “hide” the virus, or act as if it’s just something your children shouldn’t worry about. Kids are very intuitive when something is wrong. Rather than simply brushing it off, it’s better to allow them to share how they feel so they can calm their nerves.

Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.

Remember that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19.

A sad reality we’re seeing related to this outbreak is unjustly racist attacks against those of Asian descent. The Coronavirus is not the fault of one race, and attacking anyone about the virus simply for being of a certain race is ignorant and unfair.

Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online.

Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.

Again, you should not hide this virus from your children. However, you don’t have to immerse them in the constant fear the media is inducing.

Provide information that is honest and accurate.

Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.
Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.

I’ll add to this that you should ask your children what they think about the virus. This will allow you to dispel falsities, and share facts while also allowing them to talk about their feelings.

Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.

Remind children to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick.
Remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
Discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff.
(e.g., increased handwashing, cancellation of events or activities)
Get children into a handwashing habit.
- Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
- If soap and water are not available, teach them to use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in schools and childcare facilities.

Not only will these actions help them reduce their risk of contracting Coronavirus, it gives them back a sense of control about the virus.

What to Do At Home During the Coronavirus

It’s no secret that public events are being canceled left and right. Even schools are closing and businesses are suspending operations. So what can we do while we are at home to distract us from the current health concerns? Here are just a few ideas:

Play a board game
Binge-watch movies and shows on your favorite streaming service
Talk and journal about your feelings
Make a healthy meal together
Go for a walk or bike ride
Do some educational activities. Check out these links for some fabulous activities that will keep your children occupied while also teaching them something:

Learning Activities for Kids

Fun ideas for learning at home

These 50 Fun Activities for Kids Will Keep Them Entertained for Hours

Fun Learning Activities for Kids You Can Do at Home

15 Fun Educational Activities for Kids

Have them help with the chores around the house
Make arts and crafts – I recommend a quick search on Pinterest for hundreds of ideas. You can even search by age group. For example, Arts and Crafts for 5-year-olds

Adjusting to our current conditions may be difficult, but we must keep our cool during this time. Hopefully, these ideas will help you and your family to stay calm, and avoiding crowds will help us slow the rate of infection.

Additional Resources About Coronavirus

If you reside in the City of Tampa or in the surrounding cities, I recommend first reading their Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information for the latest information on school and business closures, as well as public event updates. If you stumbled upon this post and live elsewhere, I would recommend a quick search for your local area’s Coronavirus resources.