How To Help Your Child Cope-Up With The Ongoing COVID -19 Pandemic

Ever since the outbreak of COVID- 19 Pandemic, people all over the world are adapting to the evolving changes in daily life. When there is a sudden change in our daily lives, it is quite normal that we feel anxious and get stressed adjusting to the new environment and children are no exception to this situation. Children do face a lot of stress and anxiety coping with the new change in their lives. They look out for their parents’ help and guidance on how to react to stressful events. By now, many families have gotten accustomed to the changes that came along with the ongoing pandemic, but still, it is important to help children understand the level of concern, self-care, and being flexible with the situations that may arise in their lives.

This includes keeping children, feeling safe and reassured, and helping them keep up with their learning. It is the responsibility of parents to keep their children focused on what is possible in order to reassure children that they are okay and that the situation will get better.

Following these tips may help your children stay calm, listen and feel reassured.

Set Yourself As An Example

Children often tend to react to and follow your actions and reactions. They learn from you even without your knowledge. So, be a role model for your children. When you practice a healthy lifestyle, they automatically fall in line with you.

Be Mindful Of How You Explain To Them About The Pandemic:

Children are not matured enough to understand the severity of the situation. So your discussion about the COVID-19 pandemic can increase or decrease the fear in your child. Reassure your children that they are protected and are healthy and that they can fight off the infection in case, they contract it. Remind them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings and try to respond to them with empathy and reassurance.

Establish And Help Them Follow A Daily Routine:

Prepare a regular schedule for your children and explain to them the importance of sticking to that schedule for their well-being. Help them follow a regular sleep and meal schedule. Also, create a schedule that includes fun and playtime and try to be a part of their game. As you are building routines, include exercise time. It’s good for both you and your child. Plan some fun activities.

Encourage Good Food Habits:

Explain to your child the importance of food and its role in building immunity in them. Tell them that they should fill half their plates with fresh fruits and veggies as they have vital nutrients to help their bodies build immunity and fight off infections. Encourage your child to eat whole grains and lean protein that gives them the energy to stay active all day long

Regulate Your Child’s Information Access

Parents/guardians should monitor a child’s screen time both for themselves and their children. Getting exposed to too many updates on COVID-19 may increase fear and anxiety you and your children. Older children, in particular, may be accessing a great deal of information online, through friends or social media which may contain inaccuracies. So, talk to your child about factual information on the disease. Provide an alternative to media by engaging your child in games or other exciting activities instead

Model A Basic Hygiene And Healthy Practices

Keep insisting on good hygiene such as frequent washing hands for 20 seconds, cough & sneeze etiquettes, self-limiting handshakes, and hugs for time being because of the ongoing pandemic. Offering this kind of guidance on what your child or children can do to protect themselves from the infection boosts a greater sense of control and reduces anxiety in them

Bottom Line: Most children manage well with the support of parents, guardians, or other family members, even if showing signs of anxiety or concerns such as lack of concentration, irregular sleep, or exhibiting fear. However, some children may exhibit extreme behavior in cases such as family instability, or the loss of a loved one to COVID-19. So, in such cases, parents or the caregivers must take professional help if the child is exhibiting symptoms like fear, anxiety, behavior that is regressive, withdrawal for more than two weeks.

Psychotherapists can help children facing anxiety or fear resulting from various factors in a more sophisticated way. Psychotherapy Partners in Minneapolis is one of the leading psychotherapy centers with the best team of experts who can address the issue and provide the best assistance. If you need consultation for you or your family members, click here.