Talking to Children About Coronavirus
Nilay Uğurlu Öztürk and Merve Minkari Tunçay, clinical psychologists of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), offered tips for families who might want to talk about the coronavirus with young children aged 6-11. Öztürk and Tunçay said, “Children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If parents seem overly worried, children’s anxiety may rise. It is not good to keep children in the dark. They also need factual, age appropriate information about the potential seriousness of disease risk and how to avoid infections and spread of disease with the help of books and toys. Avoid acting like there is an extraordinary situation going home at home and make them feel safe and secure.”
Öztürk and Tunçay, clinical psychologists of IUE Psychological Development and Guidance Center, offered valuable tips for families after the school closures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“IT MAY CAUSE CONFUSION IN CHILDREN”
Just as much as adults, young children may feel confused and agitated about the situation, reminded Nilay Uğurlu Öztürk and she said, “As parents take precautions to protect their children’s health, they should also give clear and reassuring answers, and provide age appropriate information about coronavirus. Adults make sure that children spend time at home efficiently and productively. It is important to follow reliable, official resources when it comes to information during this time. Children and parents should avoid crowded places. It is not appropriate to keep children in dark about latest developments regarding coronavirus. Each question of children should be answered correctly and clearly. For example, if a child asks how much longer they should be at home, parents should be able to say, ‘Right now it is for one week, however it may go longer than that. We can make this time enjoyable for you’.”
“MAKE RULES MORE ENTERTAINING”
Stating that parents should share emotions and try to understand their children’s feelings, Merve Minkari Tunçay said, “Routines are very important for young children. Creating new routines or re-establishing usual routines can help children feel safe. ‘Living in the moment’ eases the anxious parents and children. Doing breathing exercises, savoring the food, watching the clouds may comfort children. Parents are the best role models for children. Children imitate their parents. Encourage your children to practice every day good hygiene in a fun way. Children communicate via games. Playing games together makes both parents children feel good.”
TIPS FOR FAMILIES
1) In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality. Give them age appropriate information.
2) Talk to them about the potential seriousness of disease risk and how to avoid infections and spread of disease with the help of books and toys.
3) Let your children talk about their feelings.
4) Do not hesitate to say that you don’t know the answer to a question they ask. Remind your children about the people and places they can feel safe around.
5) Live in the moment to cope with anxiety. For example, do breathing exercises, savor the food, or watch the clouds.
6) Make practicing hygiene more entraining. Singing, or making bubbles when washing hands, or playing with children when they are taking a bath may become your main methods.
7) Make the time you are spending at home a quality time. Choose activities that you can do with your children such as cooking, playing box games, watching movies, having a chat, etc.
8) Stay away from crowded places. Choose to take a walk by the sea or looking at trees or birds.
9) Creating new routines or re-establishing usual routines can help children feel safe.
10) Be a correct role model to your children by obeying the rules as parents.