Starting a conversation with kids about COVID-19

 

The world is drawn to a halt as people are ordered to stay home to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further. Children at home might be wondering why they're being homeschooled, and little leagues are canceled. Public health professional Capt. Martin Lloyd Sanders shares his thoughts on helping kids understand the global health crisis. 

Image source: nm.org

Whenever explaining COVID-19 to children, adults must be calm and proactive. It's the job of an adult to help a child understand their role in the fight against the dreaded disease. An adult can let the kid know that it's a possibility that at some point, one or all of them might feel symptoms similar to the flu or common cold. They must reassure the child that they don't have to feel terrified about that likelihood.

It's integral for an adult to arm themselves with facts from credible sources before starting a conversation about COVID-19 with children. Institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization must be on top of the list of resources. Kids are likely to talk and listen during dinnertime. Start the conservation by asking about their thoughts on the pandemic. Be sure to listen to their concerns, too. 

Image source: goodhousekeeping.com

Parents must answer their children's questions about the pandemic as truthful and as simple as possible. Capt. Martin Lloyd Sanders encourages parents to regularly talk to their children to know how they are coping and teach them about the preventive measures the family has to take to stay healthy and safe from the virus.

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, has more than a decade of service in the occupational safety and health sector. He possesses extensive experience in biological defense activities and infectious disease outbreak investigation. Visit this blog for similar updates.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.