Helping Your Children Cope With Social Distancing during COVID-19
Our kids are hearing about Novel-Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Social Distancing many times a day. We want them to get the right information and it’s better if they hear it from you.
I’ve created guidelines for a conversation between a parent and their child. Below you will also find links and resources that will help you better explain the COVID-19 situation to your kids and why we need social distancing.
How To Help Your Children Cope With Social Distancing During COVID-19
1. Find out what your child already knows or understands
Ask your kid what she already knows about the situation. Be patient and don’t rush to correct her with the right information. Let your child lead this part of the conversation.
2. Answer to your child’s question but don’t offer extra information
If your kid asks you a specific question then address this question with the right information, but don’t over-explain. For example, if the question was about you working from home, you don’t need to talk about other people who have lost their jobs. Stay on the topic and provide the answers to questions and topics your child brings to your attention.
3. Focus on helping your child feel safe
A pandemic is a scary time for all of us, but it’s especially scary for a child. One of the things to focus on is letting your child feel safe. Explaining that as long as we follow instructions and keep social distancing, we will stay safe and healthy.
4. Help your child stay social with video calls
For younger kids, social interaction is an essential part of their education. Keep your child interacting with other kids over video calls with their friends from school or with family and relatives from the same age group. Supervise the video call and guide the kids on how to interact. You can ask questions like: “Why don’t we tell each other what we did today?” Maybe you can show each other some artwork you did today or even swap ideas on what to draw next.
5. Keep your kids active
Staying active and moving our bodies is a great way to deal with stress. Encourage your kid to stay active. You can do something together like take an online Yoga Class for parents and their kids. Playing hot potato, catching a small ball, or dancing to your favourite music are my favourite activities.
Staying active and move our bodies is a great way to deal with stress. Encourage your kid to stay active. You can do something together like Online Yoga Class for parents and kids. Playing hot potato, catch with a small ball or dance to your favourite music are my best ideas.
Related Blog Posts:
The Mom List: 60 Things To Do Inside During COVID-19
Making Work From Home, Work!
Children’s Stories to Helping Your Children Cope With Social Distancing during COVID-19
Here are a few short stories and videos to help young children understand Social distancing:
Resources On How To Help Your Children Cope With Social Distancing
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to Talk to Your Child by kidshealth.org
- Talking To Kids About COVID-19 from Anxiety Canada
- Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 by The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
I would love to hear your comments and your tips as well. Please comment below and let me hear your thoughts
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