There is quite a bit of information – some true and some
fake – on the news and social media about COVID 19. Here are some guidelines
for talking with children in a way that is effective and calming.
1. Don’t let your children hear you make light of the
situation. It is quite likely they have heard mixed messages about the
pandemic, and hearing you joke about it will only add to their confusion.
2. When talking with your children, refrain from dismissing
the situation as nothing to worry about. Instead, be calm and honest in your explanation. For a child, a good explanation will not increase fear, but will
instead, answer it. By explaining the situation you will be showing them that
they can trust you and trust God.
3. Answer their questions and explain COVID 19
matter-of-factly. Give the simplest definition and add to that if you feel your
child is old enough to understand more. Here is a good beginning:
COVID
19, sometimes called the coronavirus, is a sickness like a cold that can make
some people sicker than others. Healthy people get the virus by being close to
sick people. We can also get the germs by touching things and putting our hands
near our mouth or nose without washing them.
The best thing we can do is wash our hands and send the germs down the
drain. To help us keep safe, doctors and others who know about this kind of sickness
are asking us to stay at home and away from large groups of people.
Here is a simple video to explain hand-washing:
4. Children will be confused by the changes in routine such
as not attending school, childcare, or church or parents staying home from
work. When you explain the reasons for this change, begin your explanation with
the words “to keep us safe.” These words will help your child to understand
that no one is being punished for being sick and that these changes are not a reaction to fear. Being reminded about safety will
also help to reduce the anxiety that comes from a change in routine.
5. If you are not sick, look for ways to increase your
interaction time with your children. They will likely need more hugs and
conversations with you, as this will remind them of what is familiar. Rather
than each family member going off to a separate room, think of ways to bring
everyone together.
6. Pray together. Talk about how God is bigger than
sickness. Remind them that God loves them and cares about them. Point out that
the changes in routine, as well as hand washing, are ways that God is keeping us
safe.
When we focus on what keeps us safe instead of the danger, and when we
teach children that God is in control, we are able to use a challenging
situation to cultivate resilience.
God’s blessings to you as you navigate COVID 19. Here is a
verse of comfort for you and your children:
In
peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell
in safety. Psalm 4:8
