Explaining the pandemic to children may be difficult. As time goes on everyone is at a distance from one another. Children are restless and do not understand. Or, they feel this is an extended vacation from school. Thus, everyone feels the stress.
Children of various ages comprehend and understand differently. Therefore, explaining the pandemic to children gets difficult. Simply, children do not understand social distancing. They do not experience it the same as adults. Adults are constantly in contact with friends and relatives from a distance, on the phone, or through social media. Children only have contact with others in school or through social media. Some live in neighborhoods with other children but they are not always friends. Thus, explaining the pandemic to children as the reason they can not play with neighborhood kids confuses.
Explaining the Pandemic
To help children deal with a pandemic and to keep in touch with their friends and relatives, FaceTIme or Skype is useful. This keeps emotional ties strong. Also, older children can connect with friends through games.
To help children understand today’s crisis, maintain control of one’s stress. Anxiety and stress are contagious. Thus, children feel the stress and anxiety of an adult. So, adults must hide their stress.
- Stay informed on the facts about the virus. Admit being worried.
- Keep a daily journal.
- Teach children the proper way to wash hands, sneeze, and cough into the sleeve.
- Keep updated with notices from the school on home-schooling.
- Talk to supporters for advice and help.
- Maintain a proper sleep and exercise schedule.
- Talk to children. Find out what they know and understand. Correct misunderstandings. Validate their knowledge.
- Most important, model healthy behavior with children.
- Teach children not to blame others. Show respect.
Children must understand that safe practices keep everyone safe from any virus. As children work from home on math and reading games in addition to a regular practice of their schoolwork, parents also work from home. Therefore, quiet time and respect is needed for concentration. Hence, this is the time for parents to teach children that everyone is responsible for each other to maintain a safe and liveable world in this trying time.
