The tips here are from the article Coronavirus: addressing pupil anxiety.
No matter how calmly you manage the current environment, children are likely to be anxious, so it is important to talk to them about what is happening.
For younger children
Children pick up bits of information from their friends, from the news and from listening to adults talking around them – but they can misunderstand what they are hearing.
Deal with the news head-on and talk about it openly and calmly, giving them the facts
- #covibook – for under 7s
- Children’s guide to corona virus – a download from the Children’s Commissioner to help explain the situation to children
- Lucy in Lockdown video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RXF5-29VGU
Encourage questions
Be a role model
Explain how our body's immune system protects us
Keep doing your bit to help children reduce the spread of germs
If you have older children in your household
Older children will have the same anxieties about their own health and that of their family and friends as younger children. However, they are also likely to feel socially isolated and worried about the result of school closures on their education and what life will be like after the pandemic is over.
In addition to the steps above:
Reassure them that when more guidance comes from the school about how grades will be awarded, you will share this with them as soon as you have it – you could also check that they understand the information you have received so far, in case there are any points of confusion or worry that the school could help too.
Encourage them to maintain social ties – relationships are especially important for older children, so give them room to keep in touch with their friends.
Equip them with accurate information – for example:
Share tools to help them manage anxiety
If your child struggles with higher levels of anxiety
Some children are naturally more anxious, such as those with existing phobias or obsessive-compulsive disorders. The current situation can make those anxieties worse.
Get them to do activities such as counting, ordering and sorting tasks which can help them calm down.
Encourage them to use relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing.
Look out for obsessive or compulsive behaviours and try to get ahead of them early by challenging unhelpful thoughts and assumptions.
If you are worried about your child’s anxiety, YoungMinds is a charity dedicated to children’s mental
health. They have opened a parents’ helpline for confidential, expert advice. You can reach them at
0808 802 5544.