Focus on the important details.
Talk about things that you and your child can control. Have short talks with them. Try not to talk around them about the things that you or they cannot control.
Keep a routine.
This will help your child to know what to expect and helps them to plan their day. While they are out of school, think about making a daily schedule. Include some learning time, movement, play time and other activities that they like. Do not spend too much time talking about COVID-19.
Use “pictures” to help children understand.
Help your child create a reminder for themselves of what they can control. For example, they can wash their hands regularly, practice social distancing and limit touching their face. (Monitor your children to make sure that there is not: excessive hand washing, perseverating on risk factors, or becoming afraid of leaving the house.
Seek additional support if needed.
Children's mental health agencies are open and providing support by phone or online. “Anxiety makes us overestimate risk and underestimate our ability to cope. The goal is to help your child realistically evaluate risks based on available information.”1
1Children’s Mental Health Ontario (2020). How to talk to your anxious child about COVID-19.
1Children’s Mental Health Ontario (2020). How to talk to your anxious child about COVID-19.
There is so much in the news and talk everywhere about COVID-19. Your child may have heard about people losing jobs or getting sick. They may worry about money or having enough food. Some children may feel scared, stressed, confused or worried. This is normal.
Many children may not be able to tell you what they are thinking. You can help your child to feel safe. Talk in a calm voice. Tell them how good people have stepped up and are helping us. These smart people are learning more every day about the virus and someday we will have a vaccination so nobody will get sick. When they hear this from someone they trust, it will help them to feel better and understand that everything will be okay
Many children may not be able to tell you what they are thinking. You can help your child to feel safe. Talk in a calm voice. Tell them how good people have stepped up and are helping us. These smart people are learning more every day about the virus and someday we will have a vaccination so nobody will get sick. When they hear this from someone they trust, it will help them to feel better and understand that everything will be okay
What can I do as a caregiver?
Try to stay current about COVID-19. Choose responsible sources for information. This shows your child that it is important to make good choices about how to get correct information:
Choose responsible sources for your information. This will help your child to understand it is important to make good choices about how to gather accurate information.
Focus on the most important details and/or things that you and your child can control. Have limited or short talks with them. Help them to focus on what they can control. Try not to talk around them about things that they cannot control. (Stress about things adults worry about – money, jobs, friends or family who are sick or worried.)
Focus on the most important details and/or things that you and your child can control. Have limited or short talks with them. Help them to focus on what they can control. Try not to talk around them about things that they cannot control. (Stress about things adults worry about – money, jobs, friends or family who are sick or worried.)