Ways To Help Children Cope During COVID-19 Pandemic

Talk to your child or children about COVID-19 and why it is a pandemic, so they understand the changes and cancellations in their daily routines. Not talking about something can make children worry more.

As a parent, our goals are to help our children feel informed and get fact-based information that is reassuring. Talk to your children in a way they can understand. Keep it simple and factor in the child’s age.

Deal with your own reaction. Stay calm and reassure your children. Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.

What are you doing to stay safe? Empower your children in giving them information to keep themselves safe. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands as the primary means of staying healthy. Remind your children that they are taking care of themselves by washing their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Stay within your routine. Make sure you are having regular mealtimes and bedtimes. This is comforting to children to maintain their day-to-day routine.

Keep talking and listening to your children. Find out what they are going through and what they are thinking. Always encourage them to share concerns and ask questions. Provide information that is honest and accurate. Keep children updated on any changes in homework assignments, school closures or changes in their daily routines.

For more information on helping children, contact MSU Extension in Roosevelt County and ask for Mont-Guides entitled Family Stress and Coping and Helping Children Cope with Natural Disasters.

Call 787-5312 or email aoelkers@montana.edu.