What a challenging event we are experiencing.\u00a0 It\u2019s difficult to share with kids not only what is happening, but what still might happen\u2014because we\u2019ve never been through this before.\u00a0 As you navigate your own thoughts and feelings on the days ahead, here are some tips to help with the conversations you have with your children.<\/p>\n
Let Them Lead\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n If your child has been paying attention to the discussions of the adults in the room, they may start asking about coronavirus. Let them ask their questions and answer as best you can.\u00a0 You know your child best and how much they can understand.<\/p>\n Questions Kids Ask<\/strong><\/p>\n Recognize Signs of Anxiety<\/strong><\/p>\n With new information rolling out daily, this is not a one and done scenario. Keep the conversation going with your child and don\u2019t allow it to dominate the day. You may notice your child getting cranky and acting out when they feel anxious. Let them know that it\u2019s okay to feel this way and strive to keep a positive home environment by using distractions like arts and crafts, board games, video games, reading books, creating a puppet show, watching a movie together, and trying new kid-friendly recipes. FaceTime or Skype the grandparents and good friends who they might be concerned about. Otherwise, try to stick to normal routines as much as possible. Schedule regular mealtimes and bedtimes because these are essential to your child\u2019s physical and mental well-being.<\/p>\n Follow Mr. Rogers\u2019 Advice and \u201cLook for the Helpers\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood on PBS often told this story about when he was a boy and witnessed things that frightened him on the news: \u201cMy mother would say to me, \u2018Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.\u2019 To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother\u2019s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers \u2014 so many caring people in this world.<\/em>\u201d Point to the nurses, doctors and medical professionals who are working so hard to help those in need. Point to the people working at the grocery stores to stock the shelves with the things that people require. Look for examples of \u201chelpers\u201d within your own community and discuss them with your child. Encourage your own child to be a helper and think of ways your family can help others \u2013 for example, you could make cards for seniors at your local nursing home who might not be able to accept visitors or for the doctors and nurses at your local hospital as your way of saying \u2018thank you for all you do.\u2019<\/p>\n Your children will be reassured by your approach to their questions.\u00a0 Remember to stay calm!\u00a0 If you don\u2019t know how to answer a particular question, be honest with your child and let them know that everyone is working together to answer these hard questions and just take one day at a time.<\/p>\n From all of us here at Kids \u2018R\u2019 Kids Learning Academies, our hopes and prayers are with your family, your friends and loved ones, and your communities. Stay well!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What a challenging event we are experiencing.\u00a0 It\u2019s difficult to share with kids not only what is happening, but what still might happen\u2014because we\u2019ve never been through this before.\u00a0 As you navigate your own thoughts and feelings on the days ahead, here are some tips to help with the conversations you have with your children. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":248,"featured_media":952,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,184000000010],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-184000000274","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n