A Kid’s Guide to Coronavirus - 13

Reader's Note
The coronavirus pandemic can be frightening

imaginations into overdrive, leading kids to

and confusing for children and adults alike. As a

concoct far scarier outcomes than

parent or caregiver, you have the challenging task

what's realistic.

of navigating and managing your own emotions
and needs during the crisis while also supporting

Validate and Name Emotions

your child. The following tips offer information

It is normal for children to have a range of

and concrete strategies that you can start using

emotions in response to the pandemic. Some

right away with your child and on your own.

children might feel anxious about the unknown

Provide Just Enough Information

and fearful about their safety. Others will feel sad
or angry about canceled events like a vacation, or

It is natural for children to be curious about

about losing their normal routine and time with

the new kind of illness they keep hearing adults

teachers and friends. No matter the emotion, it

discuss. Provide your young child with limited,

is important to validate it, or in other words, to

age-appropriate facts about the virus. Focus

communicate to your child that their emotion

on what they can do to keep themselves,

makes sense and is okay for them to feel. For

their families, and their communities safe.

example, you might say, "It makes sense that you

The information covered in this book is an

are feeling disappointed about missing your class

appropriate example of how to talk with young

field trip. You were really looking forward to it."

children about the virus. Listen respectfully

Or, "I can understand why you're feeling worried.

to their concerns and reassure them without

There are a lot of changes happening right now."

being dismissive. Help them focus on what is in

It is also helpful to specifically label the emotion

their control, such as social distancing and hand

your child is feeling; research demonstrates that

hygiene. Emphasize that it's important they still

naming an emotion decreases its intensity. In a

do their "jobs" as a kid, including learning, playing,

difficult moment, taking the time to say, "I see

and spending time with family.

that you are really sad" can be incredibly soothing

It is important to try to strike a balance
between oversharing information, which may

to your child.
Parents sometimes try to make their children

lead kids to worry about facets of the crisis they

feel better by pointing out that the child has

do not need to be concerned about, such as the

many privileges, and that other people are

economy, and under-sharing. Though parents

suffering more. For example, a parent might say,

sometimes withhold information from kids with

"Don't feel sad about missing vacation! We're

the noble intention of wanting to spare them

lucky to have somewhere to live. Other kids

distress, too little information can send active

aren't that lucky." Despite the good intentions,
A Kid’s Guide to Coronavirus

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of A Kid’s Guide to Coronavirus
