HOW TO TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT THE PANDEMIC

It can be hard to know how to talk to young ones facing distressing circumstances. You can help kids process their emotions with these steps.

BE THERE FOR THEM

Child psychologist Lynn Jenkins, author of Lessons of a LAC (Little Anxious Creature), says to give children a “safe place” by letting them know you’re there for them.

“That parental presence and connection is the first step, and then the second step is really listening to them if they’ve got any questions, answering them honestly but age-appropriately, to their personality and temperament – and no one knows that better than their parents.”

Let your children talk about their feelings and validate them. Let them know that whatever they are feeling is completely normal.

GIVE REASSURANCE

It’s important to remind children about the people who are working hard to keep them safe, such as health workers and scientists.

“Guide their attention toward the information that is on the safe side as opposed to all the uncertainty that’s out there,” says Jenkins. “It’s very easy to feel unsafe, and our brain takes nothing to go towards negativity – we’re hardwired to be biased towards the negative, so we have to guide our kids’ attention towards the safe stuff. Say that there are experts out there advising us what to do, guide their attention towards doctors and nurses who know what to do, tell them their teachers know what to do.”

MAINTAIN THEIR ROUTINE

Allow their lives to continue as normal and keep up a regular routine as much as possible. If they’ve been told they have to avoid physical contact at school, let them know it’s still okay to be affectionate at home. “My little boy gave me a hug and he said, ‘Oh, we’re not allowed to touch people,’” says Jenkins. “So also acknowledging that that might be in their little minds, too, that they are actually allowed to touch us at home, they can still give hugs because that’s what gives them their sense of safety from their safe people.”

HELP THEM PLAY THEIR PART

Let kids know how they can avoid infection and help to avoid spreading the virus. As well as letting them know how to prevent infection, practise good hygiene yourself. Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue that you discard immediately, don’t share food or drinks, and avoid touching your face. Keep your own reactions to the virus in check – kids learn how to feel about something by watching and modelling adults, so try to stay calm and in control.