How to prevent kids from suffering from Coronavirus crisis

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At this point, everybody is aware to the coronavirus crisis. Children too. They also perceive social alarm. They realize that all conversations on the street, at school and at home are about the same topic, which can generate uncertainty, worry and even a stress picture.

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In this context, it’s the responsibility of families and teachers (where classes have not been suspended) to explain to them what an epidemic is and what consequences it has for their daily life. The best way to prevent them from reacting anxiously to this unfamiliar situation is to speak frankly. It is a priority that they understand that there is practically no danger to them. But they must also be aware that certain precautions must be taken, because it is a risky situation for society and for some of their close ones, such as the oldest in the family.

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Although it is obvious, the first step in transmitting reliable information to our children about an epidemic is that we ourselves are well informed. Therefore, in these situations it’s more important to make the effort to choose rigorous sources of information.

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From here, children must be clearly explained how to reduce the risk of being infected by the disease. It’s convenient to use words that they can understand according to their age without exceeding the euphemisms or sinning otherwise: explain more than is convenient. We must be aware that the youngest have not yet acquired enough maturity to understand some biological, social and economic aspects of a health crisis of this magnitude.

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Children can react to stress in different ways: some will be more attached to us out of fear; Others will be more nervous, withdrawn, angry or agitated, depending on their character, and even physiological reactions such as bed wetting may occur.

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In this situation, it’s convenient to attend to their demands for care more frequently than usual. It’s important not to treat them with indifference. We must show solidarity with their concerns, listen to them and transmit calm and love to them.

In difficult times or beyond the comprehension of the little ones, it’s essential to protect their emotional well-being. You must be more understanding if it fits with them and look for relaxation spaces.

To achieve this, nothing better than playing. Sharing moments of leisure will make them forget about the restlessness they perceive in the environment.

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As a preventive measure for the health of your grandparents, children should be separated from them so it’s important to try to maintain regular contact through other means (such as the telephone or audio messages and videoconferences via mobile phones).

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Even if they are at home, it’s important for children to follow routines and spend time learning.

Although in isolation or confinement situations it will be difficult not to change our routines, it’s important to maintain certain habits. For example, dressing “on the street” even if we must stay at home; dedicate a specific time to learning, keeping an eye on them when doing homework; and accompany them when doing recreational activities.

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Exposure of minors to the media often precipitates the management that parents, and educators must do in situations of social alarm such as the one we face these days. In this sense, our priority should be to protect them from all the information that they cannot yet process and that may confuse or contribute to the development of anxiety and fear.

For this, it is convenient to avoid that they see or hear news and reports with a sensationalist or morbid approach to the situation. It is not even a good thing that they are exposed to news about the problem for a long time, even if the treatment is adequate: the time we spend on a topic can also convey concern, even if the tone is not alarmist.

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Children should be prevented from seeing too much news about the coronavirus problem so as not to convey more concern to them.

As much as possible, avoid engaging them in adult conversations about the situation, especially if they are heated or include jokes and double meanings: even if we are not talking to them, they know what we are talking about and draw their own conclusions.

Like any crisis, the coronavirus pandemic offers learning opportunities. In the case of children, it doesn’t hurt to take advantage of the situation to instill hygiene habits. For example, doing a practical class on how to wash their hands to protect themselves from infections.

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