Your children: All you need to know and say

How do I keep children busy?

The days may seem unending in a house with frustrated children – and parents – so some organisation will be key. Clinical psychotherapist Stephanie Regan suggests encouraging children to entertain themselves. Show them how to use time and create a structure to the day. ‘Don’t forget the basics – drawing, painting, crafts, baking,’ she says.

Can I bring them to birthday parties or playdates?

Ideally, no. While this isn’t explicitly banned, the advice from public health and medical experts is that children are ‘vectors’ for Covid-19 meaning they can be asymptomatic but still carriers for the disease. School has been cancelled for a reason, to avoid large gatherings of children and minimise contact. Large parties and playdates make these measures much less effective. Indoor activity centres and soft play areas should be avoided.

Can I bring them outside?

Yes, this is actively being encouraged as fresh air is good for all the family and is the best way of releasing pent-up energy from being at home all day. Families can go for walks in the parks, woodlands and on the beach, but just be careful to follow the social-distancing guidelines, keeping them away from other groups of children. However, playgrounds should be avoided.

How can I make sure they keep up with their schoolwork?

Your child’s teacher may have sent them home with enough homework to last a fortnight. Primary level pupils should be encouraged to do at least some class work each day. Meanwhile, the Department of Education has issued a list of online learning resources available to schools during the closures and teachers are currently putting measures in place for remote learning. While work is underway on a plan for State exams, encourage teenagers in these classes to revise if it helps manage stress.

Can my children’s grandparents help by babysitting them while I go to work?

This is a tough call – many people will still have to work, despite having no childcare. Grandparents are often called on to provide emergency childcare or may even be your child’s everyday carer. However, the advice is, where possible, not to allow children visit their grandparents, particularly if they are over 75 or have a chronic disease, or are in an immunocompromised state. Social distancing should be practised with all vulnerable groups.

How do I talk to my children about Covid-19?

The Department of Education issued some good advice yesterday for talking to children about the virus and it can be found on their website. They say it’s important to reassure them that very few people in the country are sick with the virus right now and not everyone will get it. It’s also important to let them know that the vast majority will fully recover. Younger children should be taught the importance of washing their hands properly, while teenagers should understand the role they are playing in protecting vulnerable members of society by not meeting up in groups and socialising.