The Coronavirus (Covid-19) is currently dominating conversations and news stories and your children will be listening to lots of information about this.

This may make them feel worried. They may or may not tell you this but you might notice this in their behaviour.

We have put together some tips and advice below which you may wish to share with your children.

Age and Stage

Please remember the age and stage your child is at and only share in a language or way that is easy for them to understand and does not worry them further.

Allaying fears

Whilst we realise that this is a concerning time it is important to remember that most people who get Coronavirus will recover https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

General Advice

General advice and more information can be found on the NHS website – please check this for advice and updates.

Currently the advice to stop the virus spreading is to:

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds (your children can watch a great little video here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51910709)

• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Behaviour

Children are not always able to tell us if they are worried. We will usually notice this in their behaviour. Our Sharing Parenting courses are based on the psychologist – Alfred Adler’s theory that ‘All behaviour has a purpose.’

You can find out more on our online programmes. Please contact us and provide your email address so we can give you the password to access the programmes on our website here: https://www.sharingparenting.com/for-parents/sharing-parenting-courses/online-sharing-parenting-courses/

Under 7’s

A great little book can be downloaded (available in 17 different languages) here: https://www.mindheart.co/descargables

This is a note from the author, Manuela Molina, which explains more:

I have created this short book to support and reassure our children, under the age of 7, regarding the COVID-19. This book is an invitation for families to discuss the full range of emotions arising from the current situation. It is important to point out that this resource does not seek to be a source of scientific information, but rather a tool based on fantasy. My recommendation is to print this material so children can draw on it. Remember that emotions are processed through repetitive play and stories read multiple times. Share COVIBOOK and help ease kiddo’s anxiety all over the world.

This one on Facebook may be useful too (but maybe not share the comments) https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutautism/photos/pcb.2566117266831455/2566113713498477/?type=3&theater

Newsround

The https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround website and https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround#more-stories-2 has some good advice for children and explains things to them in a language they can understand such as this video; https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51342366 This is to be shared with age and stage in mind.

10 tips 

Teens and Young People

This is useful for teens and young people and even adults too:

https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/

You may also be interested in this FREE resource also from Future Learn/ University of Reading: 

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/low-mood-during-covid-19

Lots of information for students and their parents for post 16 years old here: https://myurbanjungle.com/explore/blog/how-students-can-get-ahead-post-covid/

Corona-Superhero Training Manual 

We have put together an activity book for you and your children to go through together. 

Our aim if for this little book to help will help your child understand a little more about how to keep safe, explore any feelings or anxieties about the virus and help prepare them to return to school safely and positively. 

Please contact us if you would like one of these books. 

Keeping the children busy at home

You may also like to read activities you can do with your children to keep them busy. https://www.netmums.com/activities/free-family-fun-rainy-day-indoor-activities-for-kids

Cheap and Nutritious Meals

You may also be interested to read how to prepare cheap and nutritious meals on our news page here.

You may also be interested in: 

How to support my child at home

and

Top Tips to Keep calm with the children at home 

and

Video top tips for positive behaviour 

and 

Top Tips for helping with school closures 

and 

How to talk to your children about Covid 19 

and 

Emergency Contact Numbers 

and

https://www.sharingparenting.com/2019/08/15/a-to-z-of-parenting/

You can contact us or email us with your parenting questions at info@sharingparenting.com and give us a call for confidential advice on 07867 568339.