Explaining COVID-19 to kids

Kids worry more when they are kept in the dark and many parents are wondering how to bring up the topic with their children in a way that will be reassuring and not make them feel more worried than they already are. Here are some tips on having a COVID-19 discussion with your children. You can also download the Australian Governments ‘explaining-coronavirus-to-kids-booklet’

Ask Open Questions and Listen.

Start by inviting your child to talk about the issue. Find out how much the already know and follow their lead. If they are particularly young and you haven’t already heard about the outbreak, you may not need to raise the issue – just take the chance to remind them about good hygiene practices without introducing new fears.

Make sure you are in a safe environment and allow your child to talk freely. Drawing, stories and other activities may help open up the discussion.

Most importantly, don’t minimise or avoid their concerns. Be sure to acknowledge their feelings and assure them that it’s natural to feel scared about these things. Demonstrate that you’re listening by giving them your full attention, and make sure they understand that they can talk to you and if possible, their teachers whenever they like.

 Be Honest. Explain the truth in a child friendly way

Children have a right to truthful information about what’s going on in the world, but adults also have a responsibility to keep them safe from distress. Use age-appropriate language, watch their reactions and be sensitive to their level of anxiety. If you can’t answer their questions, don’t guess. Use it as an opportunity to explore the answers together. Use trusted websites such as:

World Health Organisation

Australian Department of Health

Queensland Government

Central Highlands Regional Council

Show them how to protect themselves and their friends

One of the best ways to keep children safe from coronavirus and other diseases is to simply encourage regular handwashing. It doesn’t need to be a scary conversation.

You can also show children how to cover a cough or a sneeze with their elbow, explain that it’s best not to get too close to people who have those symptoms, and ask them to tell you if they start to feel like they have a fever, cough or are having difficulty breathing.

 Offer Reassurance

When we’re seeing lots of troubling images on TV or online, it can sometimes feel like the crisis is all around us. Children may not distinguish between images on screen and in their own personal reality, and they may believe they’re in imminent dangers. You can help your children cope with the stress by focussing on more positive stories of things happening around them – how your community is working together to stay safe, how people are joining in random acts of kindness, how we are standing together yet apart during this time of uncertainty.

 Look after yourself

You’ll be able to help your children better if you’re coping too. Children will pick up on your own responses to the news, so it helps them to know you’re can and in control. If you are feeling anxious or upset, take time for yourself and reach out to other family, friends and trusted people in the community. Learn more about looking after yourself during COVID-19

Close conversations with care

It’s important to know that were not leaving children in a state of distress. As your conversation wraps up, try to gauge their level of anxiety by watching their body language, considering whether they’re using their usual tone of voice and watching their breathing.

Remind them they can talk to you at any time. Remind them that you care, your listening and that you’re available whenever they are feeling worried.