5 Tips for Teaching Your Child About the Pandemic
The pandemic is such a unique experience for all of us, and your child is no exception. Their routines have been drastically changed, they are not in school, they are missing friends and family, and are unable to visit their favorite places. All of which are unsettling for children! This is why it is important to talk to your child about what is happening in the world around them.
As a parent, this task can seem overwhelming. You may be wondering where do I start, what do I share with them, and what shouldn’t I share? We, at 121 Learning Works, are here with some simple tips to help.
Filter All the Information
Your child does not need to know every detail of the pandemic. For example, leaving the news channel on while your child is in the room can bring on more fear and anxiety because they will hear much more than they should. You will need to filter out much of the details surrounding the pandemic.
Keep the conversation big picture by only focusing on the details your child needs to know. Like how they can stay safe and what changes they might experience. Also, remember you can always bring the focus back to the positive things.
As Mr. Rogers says,
“Look for the helpers,” and there are a lot of helpers helping right now. You are even being a helper by staying home and wearing a mask when you have to go out.
Keep Your Child’s Unique Personality in Mind
No two children are alike, so we have to keep in mind their current ability to process the emotional stress that accompanies this pandemic. For example, if your child is prone to being scared, you will want to approach the conversation with that in mind.
Seeing people wearing masks can be frightening if they don’t understand why. You can make a game of it to help it become less scary. For example, you can put a mask on and have them guess what silly face you are making. This will help them get used to seeing someone in a mask in a safe, comfortable environment. Or if your child loves superheroes, you can talk about how some superheroes wear masks. This way you are communicating the message of safety in a not so scary way.
Watch for Physical and Verbal Cues
While you are talking with your child, look for cues that your child might be getting overwhelmed or scared. If you notice signs, like stimming, fidgeting, looking down, or tears, stop and ask them how they are feeling and empathize with them.
Below is a sample conversation you may actually have with your child if you have to tell them they might not be able to see their grandma and grandpa for a while.
Parent: “How does that make you feel?”
Child: “It makes me feel really sad.”
Parent: “It makes me feel sad too, but I am so glad that you and I will get to spend more time together. We can always video chat with grandma and grandpa so you can see them.”
Demonstrate Actions
When talking with your child about safety precautions, we recommend that you as the parent model the type of behavior you are looking for. If you are teaching hand washing, take them to the sink and wash your hands properly as they watch on. This way, they are observing the correct way to wash. Then have them try it out, and use a lot of praise when complete. Sometimes singing a song or saying a rhyme, can make the task fun and help them wash their hands for the recommended 20 seconds!
Be a Good Role Model
Lastly, children will look to adults to see how they should be acting in a new situation. If you are panicked, your child will be panicked. We must remain calm and focused on what you can do to keep safe during this time. It is easy to become overwhelmed with so much change.
If you need extra support for your child at this time, we are always available to help. We are offering a free 30-minute call to discuss your child’s unique needs during this time. We, at 121 Learning Works are here to help.
