How to explain coronavirus to children
While the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep children out of schools, business closures and restrictions on who you can and can’t see, this dramatic change in routine is certain to have raised some questions amongst young children.
As a household staff agency, we recognise how important nannies are to the children they take care of, even more so during COVID-19. From how the virus works, what social distancing is and how to keep safe, read on to find out how to explain coronavirus to children.
Explaining social distancing to children
Kids love to run around with each other, and their playfulness often means they are more touchy-feely than us adults. Explaining social distancing to children is key, particularly if they might be going back to school soon or having a bit more freedom in light of some of the lifting of restrictions.
“Children probably don’t fully understand why they are not allowed to be with friends or at school, which is why it’s crucial to explain the importance of social distancing,” says The Children Trust. “Talk to your kids about how social distancing means staying away from others until the risk of contracting COVID-19 is under control. For older children, showing the ‘flatten the curve’ charts may help them grasp the significance of social distancing. Explain that while we don't know how long it will take to reduce the number of those infected, we do know that this is a critical time and that we must follow the guidelines of health experts to do our part.”
For younger children, keep the details simple as you’ll not want to confuse them or frighten them. Simply telling them that playdates and school are off the cards so we can “keep our germs to ourselves and not share them so we can keep everybody else healthy.”
This short video is a great place to start for young children and explains how germs spread and why it is important we stay home and limit how close we get to one another.
How to talk to children about coronavirus
With social distancing covered, children may have many more questions about coronavirus. From questions about the wellbeing of their loved ones to when they can see friends again. KidsHealth offers the following advice for ensuring you are open and honest with their questions, without worrying them and ensuring they stay informed.
Find out what they know already - this gives you a chance to learn how much they know and whether they're hearing the wrong information.
Follow their lead – if they ask questions then be on hand to answer them, but if they don’t, that’s also okay.
If they ask something and you don't know the answer, be honest and try finding the answer out together.
Give them space to share their fears, but always offer a reassuring voice and let them know they can talk to you anytime. Assure them that it's normal to feel stressed out at times.
Alleviate worries over family and friends by letting them call or video chat with loved ones regularly.
If you think they need further guidance, make sure you point them to age-appropriate resources.
Keep checking in with them and ask how they are feeling from time to time. Especially if there has been a vital update or a big news story.
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