How do children cope mentally with COVID19

The onset of Corona Virus has brought a climate of fear amongst parents. Parents are anxious for the well being of their children and struggling to balance work, child care and self-care. Keeping children calm and occupied indoors can be a tedious job. If you’re anxious about how to protect and nurture kids through this crisis, Ms. Sneha George, Counselling Psychologist, Fortis Malar Hospital shares important tips for parents to keep their children informed and occupied during this tough situation.

Here are some tips on how to ensure your children are supported during this period

• Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs, like hand washing, sanitizing and cleaning surfaces.

• Remind children that family members, teachers, and others care for them and are there to keep them safe and healthy. Health care professionals, the state and central government are also working hard to prevent the spread of this disease.

• Ask children what they already know or if they have any questions. Offer age-appropriate information based on their responses. Every child is different and it’s important to tailor your conversation to your child’s developmental level and needs.

• Listen to children’s fears and concerns. Offer empathy and understanding, but also help them realistically reframe their fears.

• Show compassion and empathy for those impacted by the virus. Avoid making negative or stereotypical comments about others, such as blaming a group of people.

• Maintain your typical routines as much as possible. Rituals like bedtime stories or after dinner games anchor children in normalcy. Intentionally build emotional connections through play, music, art, conversation, and time in nature.

• Limit television and social media coverage. Repeated media exposure causes anxiety in children (and adults). Get the facts from a credible news source and then turn the news off. Tell children that the information they get from others or the internet might not always be reliable. Ask them to come to you instead.

• Include your children in plans and activities around the house.

• Incorporate new activities into your routine, like doing a puzzle or having family game time in the evening.

• It is understandable that you are anxious not but try to manage your anxiety as it can impact your children. Keeping your worries in check will help your whole family navigate this uncertain situation as easily as possible.

• Talking to children in a clear, reasonable way about what’s going on is the best way to help them understand.

• Kids should get up, eat and go to bed at their normal times. Consistency and structure are calming during times of stress. Kids, especially younger ones or those who are anxious, benefit from knowing what’s going to happen and when.

• Build in activities that help everyone get some exercise (without contact with other kids or things touched by other kids, like playground equipment). For example do yoga or aerobics at home.

Try to keep the children happy and positive

Book Appointment: Ms. Sneha George, Counselling Psychologist, Fortis Malar Hospital