What Are Five Things To Say To Young Children About COVID-19?
By now, everyone is aware of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. What it is, how it is spread, and what one can do to prevent contracting it.
If you do not have the latest information, visit the Centers for Disease Control website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html for the most updated information.
As for how to address the subject with young children, here are five things to say to them about the virus ?
The first thing to do is to ask them what they already know about the coronavirus. When children piece together information from overheard news stories or conversations, they often have misconceptions. It isn't unusual for their imaginations to create something worse than reality. Ask them how they heard about it and if they have any questions. Let them know that they can always ask you questions and that if you don’t have the answers, you will try to find them.
2. Present the facts in a simple, clear, and appropriate way for their age. Young children know what it means to be sick and probably are familiar with the term germ or "bug." Explain that the coronavirus is a new "bug" that mostly grownups catch and almost never children. Let them know that after two weeks most people who do catch it are healthy again. The most important thing that you can do is to present the information in a calm way. The goal is always to mirror the emotional reaction that you want your child to have.
3. Explain that there are things that we all can do to keep from getting or spreading the “bug”. Proper hand washing - wet, soap, scrub, rinse and dry - is to be done when entering the home, before eating, after bathroom use and after playing with pets. And here is a list of “20 second”songs to teach your children to sing while they are washing their hands. Also, one’s mouth should always be covered when sneezing or coughing, not with your hands, but into the crook of your arm. Finally, and this is a tough one for all of us, especially children, try not to touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
4. Emphasize that there are lots of helpers, doctors and scientists working very hard to learn everything about this “bug” so fewer people will get sick. These experts and you, their parents will do everything possible to keep them safe, always.
5.There isn't any group of people or country who are responsible for the virus. It doesn’t matter what you look like, what country you are from or what language you speak. The virus is nobody’s fault. In fact lots of people from all over the world are working together to keep everyone healthy.
