Resources to Help You Talk to Your Kids About COVID-19

One of the hardest things about the current coronavirus lockdown is explaining to our kids why they can’t see their friends, or answer questions like “How long will this thing last?”

Fortunately a number of organisations have established online guides to getting the family through this difficult time.

Plan International Australia’s How to help children cope with the COVID-19 pandemic guide, co-authored by psychologist and child-anxiety specialist Karen Young, offers parents and carers simple tips on how to support children who may be distressed by the sudden and shocking changes to our daily lives.

“Thankfully, from a health perspective children do appear to be less impacted by the virus than adults, but nonetheless we are worried about the psychological impact this could have on children,” says Plan International Australia CEO, Susanne Legena. “After 80 years of working with children in vulnerable communities, we have learned that kids are better able to comprehend uncertain times such as this when they feel comforted and reassured of their safety and when they know they are not alone in their feelings.”

Plan International’s guide includes issues like reassuring kids who might be anxious, helping kids understand they are not alone and giving parents child-friendly ways of explaining this complex situation.

Check out the links below for Plan’s guide, and other resources to help kids stay ok during a tricky time in society.

For the full Plan International Australia PDF with a range of strategies for talking about the virus click here.

 

Other resources

Quirky Kid Clinic

The child psychology clinic has a range of resources to help you talk about the current situation.

 

ABC Life

The ABC has a great online guide with plenty of links to help kids cope.

 

UNICEF

Bringing in the big guns, UNICEF’s online guide has eight handy tips about talking to kids about the pandemic.

 

WHO’s Mythbusters

Not as fun as the show of the same name but this is a World Health Organisation resource that could help older kids who might be getting misinformation.

 

SBS Insight

Stay calm and stick to the facts, that is the advice from the multi-cultural broadcaster.

 

In Other Coronavirus-related News

Pandemic Parenting: Tips for Looking After Kids in Lockdown
Which Is More Hygenic: Soap Or Hand Sanitiser?
Which Sydney Schools Have Closed Due To Coronavirus?

 

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