COVID-19 has become the daily topic of conversation; you, as the person responsible for the well-being of your children, may be wondering how to give them what is necessary for their development and to help them understand the coronavirus.
Start by defining the meaning of the initials COVID-19
The dissemination of this pandemic is available both on social networks, television, and other media, so children most likely already have "certain" information. Therefore, it is recommended that you start the conversation by investigating what they already know and from such information or, in many cases, disinformation, you can start working on.
What is coronavirus and COVID-19 for you?
The answer will allow you to understand what the child knows (or thinks he/she knows) and how he views the disease.
COVID-19 is a disease in the body that is caused by a virus. The origin is not yet known, and in most cases, the person with COVID-19 can say that they feel bad, have a fever (if we touch the, they are hot), cough, chills (they feel cold), and/or pain in their body.
The most normal way to get COVID-19 is through the virus-filled hands of someone who touches their mouth, nose, or eyes. Viruses are so small that they cannot be seen, so it is important to wash your hands often, especially before touching your mouth or eyes.
The reason why we now hear so much about this coronavirus is because it is a new virus that did not exist. There are specialized people who are studying it, and every day they research to find a way to prevent contagion among people. Experts around the world work very hard on a daily basis to understand the virus and to keep us safe.
Quarantine
When a person becomes ill with coronavirus or was in contact with someone who now has it, they are asked to be quarantined. This means that this person must stay at home and can only be with his family, without going anywhere with other people.
Social distance
To stop the spread of COVID-19, people are asked to practice social distance. That is, people who leave the house should not get too close to others, but imagine that there is a bicycle that separates one person from another. Whenever social distance needs to be put into practice, this distance must be kept with other people who are not part of the family. Rather than "High fives" or fists and hugging other non-family members, you can smile at them and wave your hand to say hello.
Restrict children's access to news and social media about COVID-19
Explain that there is a lot of conflicting information regarding the coronavirus and that, for the time being, you are going to control and restrict access to all external communication. Reassure them and tell them that you will give them all the information they will need to know about COVID-19. As the person responsible for the well-being of your children, look for reliable sources of information, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, mayoclinic.org, state health departments, and district communications schoolchildren. When you hear the news, don't forget that the children are present and that, even though they may not appear to be watching, they are listening to the information.
Explain the importance of good hand washing
Take them to the sink and practice proper handwashing with them. Show them how to “form tiny bubbles” by rubbing their hands over and over, how to wash all the places, including the tips of the fingers. Encourage them to sing a whole song, such as "Happy Birthday," twice while washing their hands, to make sure they do it for the time needed to clean their hands well. As the person responsible for the well-being of children, hang a sign on the front door that says, “Welcome. Please remember to wash your hands. " That way, when children get home, they will remember that it is important to wash their hands upon entering, as well as before eating and after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Explain how canceling an event prevents the spread of COVID-19
Young children may believe that the cancellation of an event, family vacation, plans to go to the movies, etc., is a consequence of something they did wrong. Remind them that the reason for not being able to attend an event for now is to prevent COVID-19 from spreading among people. If it is possible, tell them that they will attend the event after all of the danger goes away.
Remind them that when they are in someone else's care, they should listen to them. It is important to tell them that they must follow the instructions and orders of those who take responsibility for them during their absence, such as grandparents, a day caregiver, a teacher, etc. The orders they give them, such as washing their hands well, keeping their social distance, covering their mouths with a sleeve to cough or sneeze, and so on, serve to protect and keep them safe.
Create new routines for the whole family
Creating and maintaining routines helps children predict what the plan is and that allows them to feel in control of the situation. Use a white board or paper to show your daily schedule. Explain that if you continue to ask to maintain social distance, the new rule is to stay at home; in that case, setting clear expectations for the day will allow them to feel support and satisfaction. In preparing your schedule, think about the following: bedtime, wake-up time, meals, study, exercise, and other outdoor activities, play, housework, and so on.
Play, play and play
Children learn and process things through play. As a family, take advantage of the opportunity to stay home and practice both social distance and interaction. Have fun with games, pull out toys, do puzzles, read books, listen and play music, dance, go for a walk, and work together on art projects. In the evenings, choose a theme, for example: fun night, movie night, cook night, board game night, or ice cream night. Although staying at home all the time is not the norm, take advantage of this opportunity to be together as a family and create good memories.
Give them the opportunity to communicate with their loved ones through electronic devices
During social isolation, call grandparents, uncles, cousins, and friends with whom you would normally have interaction, or contact them through FaceTime or other similar applications. This will prevent children from feeling very isolated, as they will continue to maintain and foster relationships with loved ones. Make an appointment for virtual play with a friend of your son, because although each one plays his own, the children are pleased to see the others play. If children participate in the same activity, they can then play together virtually, creating and supporting parallel play. Virtual connection is also another way to promote social development through interaction with others.
It is important to be honest with children.
As a parent, your first instinct may be not to tell them the truth because sometimes the news shared with children can cause fear, worry, anxiety, or sadness. However, being honest with children and telling them that you will always speak the truth to them builds trust between you and them.
Remind them that you will keep them informed of changes in information or any new data on COVID-19. That way, they will receive from you the information that comes out. Have this conversation with the children on a daily basis, because that gives them the opportunity to ask questions and helps them process any questions they have. As the person responsible for the well-being of children, it is best to let them know your opinion about COVID-19 to validate their feelings.
Although you may also have your own doubts, concerns, and fears, it is important to tell children that you are following the instructions of health professionals. Remind them that the reason for taking these steps is to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep everyone safe. As the person responsible for the well-being of children, you are the best support and advocate for them, so you can make a difference in how your children cope with this changing experience.
Help your child stay active
• Encourage your child to play outside - it's great for their physical and mental health. Take a walk with your child or take a bike ride.
• Take breaks for indoor activities (such as breaks for stretching or dancing) throughout the day to help your child stay healthy and focused.
Help your child stay socially connected
• Talk to friends and family over the phone or video chat.
• Write letters or cards for family members who cannot visit.
• Some schools and nonprofits, such as Collaborative for Academic, Social, Emotional Learning external site icon, The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence external site icon, have social and emotional learning resources. See if your school offers tips and guidelines to help meet your child's social and emotional needs.
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