How to Talk to Kids About COVID-19
How to Talk To Kids About COVID-19
By Melissa Wood, Parenting Magazine
With COVID-19 (CoronaVirus) everywhere on the news, it’s likely that kiddos in your home and in your classroom are wondering what’s going on. Uncertainty can make kiddos feel anxious and afraid (just like in us adults).
- Be Open and Honest
Being an open source of information that they feel they can confide in is important. Ask how they are feeling, if they are concerned and be a support however possible. Reassure any concerns that they have and be sure to keep in mind explaining them to a way that is developmentally appropriate based on their age.
Teach Good Habits
Teach them how to protect themselves and their loved ones by showing them how to wash their hands and why it is important. Teach your kiddos how to cough into their elbow and encourage them to practice healthy habits of eating well and getting enough rest. These are great ways to talk to kids about COVID-19. Check out this fabulous approach below that this teacher took with black pepper to teach about germs. We love it!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9kOH4HhZBA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Do not Spread Misinformation or Anxiety
With all of the COVID chatter, it’s easy to repeat something you heard. Be conscious of sticking to the facts vs. the rumors. Also be sure to not pass along your own anxiety. If you’re feeling a bit 
emotional or reactive to something you heard or how you’re feeling, take a deep breath.
If you’re feeling anxious about Coronavirus, here’s an amazing toolkit that has resources for any anxiety you’re feeling: https://www.virusanxiety.com/
Here is a great video from the Child Mind Institute that walks you through how to approach the conversation.
During the preschool and kindergarten years, children begin to develop and learn new skills through play. Play encourages all the important areas of development. It includes social, emotional, physical, communication/language and cognitive development. This refers 
to learning to question, problem-solve, learn about spatial relationships. In addition, they acquire knowledge through imitation, memory, number sense, classification, and symbolic play.
