How to Talk to Your Children About the Coronavirus

Adults are facing a lot of stress due to the coronavirus outbreak.  However, just because we as adults are facing the stress of new daily routines, does not mean that our children should be feeling the same stress. Mental health professionals are urging parents to not only avoid displacing the stressors of the coronavirus on their children but are also urging parents to limit the exposure of information about the coronavirus to their children.

Provide Just Enough Information

Explaining to your children why they cannot have playdates, or go to the local park, or why they are not currently going to school every day, can be hard.  And even more so, it is going to be harder for a child to comprehend.  However, this does not mean that parents should be overly informative on the details of the coronavirus. There are many reasons that parents should limit the information they provide to their children about the coronavirus, and here are a few

• Imagination to Anxiety: Children already have large and elaborate imaginations that allow them to dramatize a lot of events, which in turn can lead to a lot of anxiety. Even if you feel that you are giving them basic information, remember that their brain has not developed the ability to rationalize all of their thoughts. In many cases, children will begin to overthink and stress themselves out about the virus, resulting in fearful fantasies, without being able to comprehend the reality of the situation.
• Stress Due to Change: Children are going through enough changes at the moment. They are missing out on socialization with children their age. Chances are that their recess and outdoor time has been reduced. Children are having to adjust to new learning strategies and a new learning environment.  It is likely, that they even have a parent working from home.  For a child who has a brain that is constantly absorbing new information, and going through emotional development, these changes can weigh heavily on a child. Children are likely witnessing parents respond to current stressors, even where parents do their best to minimize their stress. To allow children to further be exposed to even more information than needed right now, can really cause a lot of stress for young children.
• They are Just Kids: This gets forgotten a lot these days. Let kids be kids.  Chances are the conversations in the household these days are changing, and a lot of ‘adult’ conversations are going to be taking place.  However, your children are not adults, and their only job right now should be doing well in school, helping around the house, and playing with siblings, parents, or themselves. Do not forget that your children’s lives should feel as little impact as possible, so that they are able to continue to be kids.

What is “Just Enough Information”?

Mental health experts agree across the board that it is important to inform your child about the coronavirus, but to be careful to not leave them feeling scared or in fear.  It is important to observe your child’s reactions when discussing the coronavirus with them, noticing any cues or changes in body language that might indicate discomfort. Try to provide information in small pieces, in order to give them time to process the information.  You will want to provide enough information so that your child does not ‘fear the unknown’ but not too much information, where they end up worrying more.  Here are a few topics regarding the coronavirus that are appropriate to discuss with children. The extent of depth these topics are discussed in will vary on age and maturity level.

1. What is the coronavirus?
2. How do you catch the coronavirus?
3. Any questions your child may have about the coronavirus.

** See below for some sample answers to questions your child may have about the coronavirus.

Other Tips from Mental Health Professionals

Other tips from mental health experts involve staying calm whenever discussing the outbreak in front of your children and limiting their access to the news during this time.  This includes not leaving the news on in the background while you go about doing your daily routine—if kids can hear it or see it, it should be turned off. Children are more observant than adults typically give them credit for, and for that reason, parents should be more sensitive to what children are exposed to.

The most important thing is to reassure your children that you are taking the necessary steps to keep them safe, and that it is not their job to worry. Avoid discussing the coronavirus if you are feeling anxious, and reassure them that children are less likely to catch it, and seem to have milder symptoms than adults. In a world full of change, it is important that parents remain a source of stability in their child’s life.  These tips can help parents and family members navigate through some of the hard questions that might arise due to the current pandemic.

Examples of Questions and Answers:

What is the Coronavirus?

• The Coronavirus is a germ that can make people get sick.
• Consider giving your child an example of a time he or she had the flu, or someone they knew did, and tell them to remember how it made them feel.
• You can say that some people feel a little sick, where as some people feel more sick.
• Explain in basic terms that some people get fevers, and sometimes people can get a cough.

How do catch the Coronavirus?

• The virus spreads like a cold or the flu.
• Explain that if someone sneezes or coughs, and their germs are in the air, it can cause people to get sick. (for children that are able to understand measurements, you may explain the 6-foot rule to them)
• In addition, even healthy people might get germs on them, especially if they interact with people who may be sick, or by touching surfaces where germs landed.

How can we avoid getting the Coronavirus?

• To keep germs away, we need to wash our hands more frequently, for at least 20 seconds. Consider recommending your children sing Happy Birthday or another short song while they wash their hands, to make sure they are counting up to 20.
• We need to try not to touch our faces to avoid the germs from getting inside our bodies.
• Always remember to use a tissue if you have to sneeze and throw them away right after.

Why are people wearing masks?

• Masks are for people that are sick, so that they do not share their germs. Medical staff, such as doctors and nurses, wear masks in order to prevent them from catching germs from patients who might have it.