The novel Coronavirus brought so many changes into our lives, especially for seniors who are at risk the most. But in all that chaos, no one talks enough about the youngest ones, who, fortunately, seem to be the safest group because they don’t tend to develop severe symptoms of this virus. Kindergartens and schools are closed, and the chances are high that it is going to stay that way until the summer when the school year is already over in most places. But just because children are not at a higher risk it does not mean that they are free to go outside and play, because they can catch the virus and spread it around. So let’s see how we can protect our youngest ones
How to Talk to Your Child About Coronavirus
We cannot really hide much from our kids, can we? School is out, kids are at home every day, and it is not even summer, plus if their parents are also at home all the time, kids will notice that something is going on. Older kids and teens probably already have some idea about COVID-19; they hear other kids talking, they go online, etc. Your job as a parent is to find out what they already know and then explain to them if that is true or not and why. Your kids should know the truth, and therefore, if you are not sure about something, get all the information from reliable sources such as the official CDC website or the World Health Organization. Even if you are in a panic, or anxious, try to hide that from your kids, because they should not be exposed to such stress.
How to Keep Your Kids Safe in the Age of Coronavirus
We are overflooded with COVID-19 information and numbers on a daily level that it seems like we could name all the symptoms and precaution measures even when someone would wake us up in the middle of the night. However, if you are still not on that level, it can’t harm you to read about precaution measures again, because all those same tips should be applied to children as well.
- Let your kids know that now more than ever, they have to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water or use hand sanitizers.
- Clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces in your household like desks, doorknobs, remotes, light switches.
- Wash all the washable plush toys, as well as laundry at the highest recommended temperature.
- Avoid people who are sick, and avoid gatherings in general, playgrounds, playdates, etc.
COVID-19 Symptoms in Children
Although the symptoms are the same for both adults and children, for some, so far unknown, reason, children experience very mild forms of symptoms. We do not even know if children who already have some health problems can develop further complications if they catch the virus. There is still so much to learn when it comes to children and COVID-19, but so far the reported symptoms include:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Besides these flu-like symptoms, you should also pay attention to the early signs of stress. Adults are not the only ones who can get anxiety in situations like this. Coronavirus is not the only potential cause of child stress; pressure about the school, grades, lack of socialization, home isolation, etc. can also cause stress. Some of the signs of stress can be sadness, lack of concentration and attention, disrupted sleep, unhealthy eating, etc. That is why it is essential to talk to children about Coronavirus and everything that is going on in the world right now.
How to Help Your Children Stay on Track With Studying
It is important to keep in mind that this is not a spring break. Most schools are working on online classes or sending tasks to their students, so you have to make sure your child still maintains a good routine and does the homework. This transition to homeschooling is not going to be easy; that is why from day one, you should help your kids establish a routine. Another option is to have a tutoring service that teaches English, Math, and Science tuition. Also, you have to explain to them that if they do not keep up now, it will be much harder once the school starts again. Let them have video calls with their friends or even try to learn together in online groups; it will motivate them.
Honesty is the Best Policy
Since this situation is going to last for weeks, it is inevitable that children will be aware of it, regardless of their age. They are not immune to Coronavirus, so you have to make sure they understand they should not do anything that puts their health at risk. Explain to them why they cannot see their grandparents or friends in the following weeks. Try to come up with some fun activities that you can do now when you have more time to spend together at home and enjoy some quality family time.
