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Prevention Action Alliance
Know! To Reassure and Support Children During the COVID-19 Crisis
Teachers, we encourage you to share this Know! tip with parents in your
network to help them talk with their children about why schools are
closing.
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19, also known as
coronavirus, a pandemic. Whether or not you believe the response to
COVID-19 is proportionate, there is no doubt that children are being
directly touched.
Their schools are closing, their academic and extracurricular
activities are being cancelled, their spring break family trips are
being postponed, and restrictions are being placed on mass gatherings.
They’re also seeing and hearing the vast concerns of some and outright
panic of others as local and national leaders attempt to control the
spread of the virus.
Everyone is talking about coronavirus. The question is, are you talking about it with your children?
Signs of Fear
While individuals will react differently to stressful situations,
children in general, tend to experience more intense emotions. Some
level of fear and anxiety in this type of crisis is an expected and
appropriate reaction.
Keep an eye out for these common changes in young people that may
signal a negative response to the current events unfolding around them
(according to the CDC):
Excessive worry or sadness
Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
Irritability and “acting out” behaviors (such as increased fighting with siblings or parents)
Poor academic performance/avoiding schoolwork
Difficulty paying attention and concentrating
Avoiding activities enjoyed in the past
Unexplained headaches or body pain
Using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
How to Talk about COVID-19
Children will look to us, as parents and caregivers, to see how we
respond to the pandemic. If we deal with this situation calmly and
confidently, our children are much more likely to do the same. It is
important that we, along with our children, take breaks, get plenty of
sleep, exercise, eat well, stay connected to friends and family, and
stay positive. In doing so we are better able to support our children.
Other things we can do to support our children include (according to the CDC):
Take time to talk with them about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer
questions and share facts in a way that our children can understand.
Reassure our children that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if
they feel upset. Share with them how we deal with our own stress so
that they can learn how to cope from us.
Limit our children’s exposure to media coverage. Children may
misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they
do not understand.
Help our children to maintain a sense of structure, especially for
those young people whose schools have closed and extracurriculars have
been put on hold.
We may not have all the answers for our children. That said, it’s
imperative for us to sit down with them to provide the facts that we do
know, filter out misinformation, reassure them of their safety, and
help them to remain positive and hopeful – to the best of our ability.
About Know! Teachable Moments
Everyone has a role in prevention. By reading and sharing this Know!
Teachable Moment today, you’re doing your part to prevent substance
misuse and create a healthier world for all.
We created these free tips to empower teachers and educators like you.
Know! helps you promote health and wellness and protect the young
person in your life from unhealthy behaviors, including alcohol,
tobacco, and other drug use. However, we rely on donations from people
like you to provide these tips. If you found this tip interesting or
helpful, please consider donating at
preventionactionalliance.org/donate.
Know! Teachable Moments are provided by Prevention Action Alliance with
support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction
Services, the Ohio Department of Education, and Start Talking!.
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