The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has a webpage with helpful information for parents about the novel coronavirus.
The topics include: Protecting Your Family, Caring for Someone With Coronavirus, Schools and Daycares, and Talking to Children about Coronavirus.
The Talking to Children section is helpful, it has several topics that help children:
Reassurance is important. There are doctors and scientists working on treatments and vaccines. And there is news this week that some anti-virals may help.
Give them control – giving people, including children, something they can do by and for themselves helps them feel less anxious. They can wash their hands. They can be in charge of reminding everyone else to wash their hands. They can be in control of eating healthy and other habits that will help them be stronger if they do get sick.
Watch for signs of anxiety, which sometimes expresses differently in chldren than adults. They may seem cranky, need more hugs or holding, have trouble sleeping, or seem distracted. Reassuring them and keeping to normal routines will really help.
Monitoring their media, and being a good role model, also really help.
To read all the AAP information, and get their links to other helpful resources, visit this website: AAP: Coronavirus
