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How to talk to your child about COVID-19/Coronavirus

Adapted from National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus):

A Parent Resource

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Step 1. Remain calm and reassuring.

Children will follow your reactions - including your body language and what you say

What you say and do can increase or decrease your children’s anxiety.

If you’re not currently sick, emphasize to your children that they and your family are fine.
Remind them that you and the adults at their school are there to keep them safe and healthy.
Let your children talk about their feelings and help reframe their concerns into the appropriate perspective

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Step 2. Make yourself available.

Children may need extra attention from you and may want to talk about their concerns, fears, and questions.
It is important that they know they have someone who will listen to them; make time for them when you can.
Tell them you love them and give them plenty of affection.

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Step 3. Avoid excessive blaming.

When tensions are high, sometimes we try to blame someone.
It is important to avoid stereotyping any one group of people as responsible for the virus.
Bullying or negative comments made toward others should be stopped
Be aware of any comments that other �adults are having around your family.

You may have to explain what comments� mean if they are different than the values� that you have at home.

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Step 4. Monitor television viewing and social media.

Limit TV viewing or access to information on the Internet and through social media.

Try to avoid watching or listening to information that might be upsetting when your children are present.

Speak to your child about how many stories about COVID-19/coronavirus on the Internet may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
Talk to your child about factual information of this disease—this can help reduce anxiety.
Constantly watching updates on the status of COVID-19 �can increase anxiety — try to avoid this.
Engage your child in games or other interesting �activities instead

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Step 5. Maintain a normal routine to the extent possible.

Keep to a regular schedule
Encourage your children to keep up with their schoolwork and other activities, but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.

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Step 6. Be honest and accurate.

In the absence of factual information, children �often imagine situations far worse than reality - �Don’t ignore their concerns

Explain that at the present moment very few �people in this country are sick with COVID-19/coronavirus

Children can be told this disease is thought to be spread between people who are in close contact with one another—when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
It is also thought it can be spread when you touch an infected surface or object, which is why it is so important to protect yourself

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Step 7. Know the symptoms of COVID-19/coronavirus.

The CDC believes these symptoms appear in a few days after being exposed to someone with the disease or as long as 14 days after exposure:

Fever, Cough, and/or Shortness for breath

For some people the symptoms are like having �a cold; for others they are quite severe or �even life threatening.
In either case it is important to check with your �child’s healthcare provider (or yours) and follow �instructions about staying home or away from �public spaces to prevent the spread of the virus.

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Step 8. Review and model basic hygiene and healthy lifestyle practices for protection.

Encourage your child to practice every day good �hygiene—simple steps to prevent spread of illness:

Wash hands multiple times a day for at least �20 seconds (singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star �slowly takes about 20 seconds).
Cover their mouths with a tissue when they �sneeze or cough and throw away the tissue immediately, or sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow. Do not share food or drinks.
Practice giving fist or elbow bumps instead of handshakes.

Giving children guidance on what they can do to prevent infection gives them a greater sense of control over disease spread and will help to reduce their anxiety.
Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly; this will help them develop a strong immune system to fight off illness.

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Step 9. Discuss new rules at school.

Many schools already enforce illness prevention habits, including frequent hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand cleansers.
Your school will most likely send information home about any new rules or practices when you return back to school
Be sure to discuss this with your child.
Contact your school with any specific questions
Let your school know if your child is sick and keep �them home. Your school may ask if your child has �a fever or not.

This information will help the school to know �why your child was kept home. If your child is �diagnosed with COVID-19/coronavirus, let the �school know.

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Step 10. Keep Explanations Age Appropriate:�Early Elementary Schoolers

Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should balance COVID-19/coronavirus facts with appropriate reassurances that their schools and homes are safe and that adults are there to �help keep them healthy and to take care of them if they �do get sick.

Give simple examples of the steps people take �every day to stop germs and stay healthy, such �as washing hands. Use language such as �“adults are working hard to keep you safe.”

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Step 10. Keep Explanations Age Appropriate: �Late Elementary to Junior Highers

Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what will happen if COVID-19 comes to their school or community. They may need assistance separating reality from rumor and fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to prevent germs from spreading.

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Step 10. Keep Explanations Age Appropriate:�Upper middle school and high schoolers

Upper middle school and high school students are able to discuss the issue in a more in-depth (adult-like) fashion and can be referred directly to appropriate sources of COVID-19/coronavirus facts. Provide honest, accurate, and factual information about the current status of COVID-19/coronavirus. Having such knowledge can help them feel a sense of control.

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Step 11. Points to Emphasize When Talking to Children

Adults at home and school are taking care of your health and safety. If you have concerns, please talk to an adult you trust.
Not everyone will get the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. School and health officials are being especially careful to make sure as few people as possible get sick.
It is important that all students treat each other with respect and not jump to conclusions about who may or may not have COVID-19.
There are things you can do to stay health and avoid spreading the disease:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Wash hands often with soap and water (20 seconds).
If you don’t have soap, use hand sanitizer �(60–95% alcohol based).
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and �surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or �wipe

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Additional Resources

Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks, https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Talking-With-Children-Tips-for-Caregivers-Parents-and-Teachers-During-Infectious-Disease-Outbreaks/SMA14-4886

Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks, https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Coping-with-Stress-During-Infectious-Disease-Outbreaks/sma14-4885

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html

Handwashing and Hand Sanitizer Use at Home, at Play, and Out and About, https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/hand-sanitizer-factsheet.pdf

For more information related to schools and physical and mental health, visit www.nasponline.org and www.nasn.org.