{"id":1107,"date":"2020-04-10T12:17:23","date_gmt":"2020-04-10T12:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/ana-hpmd\/?p=1107"},"modified":"2020-06-09T17:21:50","modified_gmt":"2020-06-09T17:21:50","slug":"how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/ana-hpmd\/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Talk to Your Children About Coronavirus"},"content":{"rendered":"

My, have things certainly changed in our lives in the past few weeks because of COVID-19! Schools are closed, you may be working from home, and most businesses are closed as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Coronavirus pandemic continuing to spread throughout Florida, it\u2019s important that we remember the lives of our children have changed too. You may have school-aged kids who are now being homeschooled or younger children who stay at home and are now seeing mom and dad pulling double duty of working and childcare. Whatever changes have occurred in your family, it\u2019s important to remember that children are very observant to change. Even when parents do their best to shield them from the news and social media and not mention COVID-19 in front of them. In recent days, you may have noticed that your children are quieter than usual, seem angry or confused. You may also notice them \u201cplaying\u201d doctor or quarantining their stuffed animals. All of these reactions are normal and expected ways that kids respond to anxiety and uncertainty. But how can you explain the changes in our lives that Coronavirus has caused in a way that children will understand? Are you also wondering how to explain anxiety to a child, so she will understand what she\u2019s feeling right now?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some tips to help you do just that, and feel free to <\/span>contact best pediatrician in kendall area <\/a><\/span>if you have any specific questions given your family\u2019s unique situation or anxiety symptoms your child may be exhibiting.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus Pandemic<\/b><\/h2>\n

The specific way you talk about COVID-19 with your children is going to be highly dependent on their ages, emotional maturity and peer influences. Tweens and teens, for example, are likely hearing more than you realize from social media and their friends. Elementary school children may have heard information about the virus by their teachers or classmates before schools closed down. And preschoolers and toddlers are likely very confused about why things have suddenly changed. Many parents have called me to ask how to protect children during these uncertain times. My short answer – be as honest as you need to be, and focus on the positives and the helper. First, you want to make sure that the information you\u2019re telling your kids about Coronavirus is factual. Explain to them that it\u2019s an illness that is easily spread and makes some people, especially grandmas and grandpas, sick. Also, reassure your children that doctors are finding that kids themselves are very unlikely to feel unwell if they catch this virus. Then, focus on what your family is doing to protect itself from catching or spreading Coronavirus, including:<\/span><\/p>\n