How to Talk to Your Child About Coronavirus?

Having information and facts about COVID-19 will help diminish children’s fears and anxieties. It is very important to know how to talk to your child about coronavirus and what to say.

Those are some tips that you can follow as parent:

> Share appropriate facts and correct misinformation
You can tell your child: “You know what it’s like to have a cold other flu, how sometimes you get a cough or have a fever? This is kind of like that. Most people who catch this sickness stay home, rest and get better.”

> Reassure your child that he/she is safe
You can tell your child: “You don’t need to worry. Right now, lots of amazing grownups are working hard to keep people healthy like doctors, nurses and scientists. Luckily, we already know a lot about how to keep healthy!”

> Practice social distancing
You can tell your child: “Germs like to travel from person to person. Have you ever noticed how kids in your class sometimes get sick at the same time? If lots of people stay at home for a while, it will be hard for the Coronavirus to travel to new people.”

> Emphasize simple things your family can do to be “germ busters”
Kids are more distressed when they feel helpless and passive, and more comfortable when they are taking action. The hygiene routines that slow the spread of the COVID-19 are the same habits that help keep us healthy all-year-round.

Here are four ways you can help your kid build germ busting habits:

	1. Wash your hands Make it a family routine before every meal and snack to wash hands. If you do it together, you can model for them how to use soap, rub your hands together and rinse. For a timer, try slowly singing the ABCs together while you scrub.
	2. Catch that cough Make it a game with your kid. Can he/she catch the cough in his/her elbow? In the beginning, cheer when they do: “You caught it! That’s what germ busters do!” If they accidentally ‘catch it in their hands’ they can simply wash their hands with soap and water and start the game again.
	3. Rest in bed Tell your child: “When we are sick, we can stay home and rest our bodies: we can be germ busters by not spreading germs or going to school sick. And we as parents, we can keep ourselves and our kids home if we have a fever or other symptoms.”
	4. Practice healthy habits Remind your child that sleep, exercise and eating healthy foods are everyday ways to strengthen our bodies. We will all get sick sometimes! But we can be responsible germ busters when we practice handwashing, cough-catching, resting and basic healthy living habits.