How you can support your child

It’s normal for children to have questions about news and events covered in the media, such as COVID.

Children look to the significant adults in their lives for guidance on how to manage their reactions and you can help your child by remaining calm and reassuring them. There is a common misunderstanding that talking with your child about a topic such as COVID may increase their anxiety. This is not the case.

It’s important to listen to your child and answer their questions as honestly as possible and correct any misunderstandings. This will help them feel informed and understand what is happening. Keeping up to date with the facts from reliable sources will help keep conversations calm, considered, and constructive.

Provide information in words that are appropriate to the age of your child. Children can be distressed by hearing repeated stories so monitor how much your child is being exposed to television and social media and encourage them to talk to you about what they are seeing and hearing.

In addition to talking with your children, the following can help to maintain wellbeing when children are confined to home for an extended period:

• regular exercise
• engage in healthy eating practices. Use the Healthy Kids: Eat well, Get Active resource to support healthy eating and to increase exercise at home.

Hygiene practices

Some practical advice for your child includes reminding them to cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze (coughing into their elbow is a useful strategy), keep their hands clean by washing them regularly with soap and water, and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth before washing their hands.

These are easy habits for children to adopt, and should help them feel as though they’re able to exert some control over their circumstances. When your child is at home, it’s important for your child to maintain a healthy lifestyle including proper diet, sleep, and social contact at home and by phone with family and friends.

Explaining COVID-19 to children

The following resources can help you explain COVID-19 in a way that your child can understand.