UPDATED: International charity releases guide to helping children cope with COVID-19

An international charity has released a guide to help parents navigate difficult conversations with their children about the coronavirus pandemic.

HELPING children understand and navigate the sudden and dramatic changes to their routines and the constant coronavirus news cycle can be a daunting challenge for parents.

Plan International Australia yesterday released a guide to help parents and carers navigate some of the difficult conversations and situations that may arise as the world frantically reacts to the pandemic.

How to Help Children Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic was co-authored by psychologist and child-anxiety specialist Karen Young and offers parents and carers tips on how to support children and practical steps to approach these conversations with young people.

Dr Young said the COVID-19 health crisis could fuel anxiety, distress and depression in young people and that it was critical that parents acknowledged their feelings and provided reassurance.

“Children might respond in many different ways to news of COVID-19,” she said.

“They might feel scared, sad, confused or they might feel nothing at all.

“Let them know they aren’t alone, and that whatever they are feeling is completely understandable.”

A new guide aims to help parents and carers discuss the coronavirus pandemic with their children. Picture: LUCY CHAMPION

They include;

– LETTING children know what they are feeling is OK.

– VALIDATING fears and feelings, but from a position of strength.

– REASSURING children who express fear or anxiety, but answering questions honestly and with as much information as they need to feel safe.

– HELPING children understand they are not alone and reminding them that there is a community of emergency workers, charities and people around them doing good.

– TALKING to children about the importance of how to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 through good hygiene and sanitation practices, including an illustrated hand-washing guide.

– EQUIPPING parents and carers with child-friendly ways to explain the facts and symptoms of COVID-19.

– WAYS that children can help others in their community through the crisis.

– TIPS, activities and resources on keeping children happy and entertained while self-isolating, as well as advice on routines, structure and education.

With the world facing this unprecedented #pandemic, we know that it can take it's toll on children as they try to...

Posted by Plan International Australia on Wednesday, 25 March 2020

Wynyard mother of two and music therapist Allison Davies said she had given deep thought to how she discussed the situation with her children.

“There’s so many layers that need thinking about individually, about my role as a responsible part of the community, as a responsible parent and as an individual,” she said.

She and her husband Leighton have spoken with their children Maple, 8, and Chester, 5, about the situation, but found it difficult to know what to say and what not to.

“Rather than talking about the actual virus and the implications of getting sick, we’ve been talking a lot more about our social responsibility as part of our community and I think that’s something they can really understand and also get a lot of pride in.

“This has been something that I have been acutely aware of because one of my children is autistic.”

Mrs Davies said her family was taking social distancing measures very seriously, withdrawing their children from school almost two weeks ago.

“My husband and I work from home and so logistically that could happen fairly easily for us. “We thought that that was the responsible decision.”

She said the change in routine, not knowing what’s next and having to adapt expectations was causing anxiety.

“I have just been really focusing on anxiety management at home, because I know that if they are as regulated as possible, then they will be able to cope with transitions and cope with the changes to routine a lot easier.”

Plan International Australia CEO, Susanne Legena, said children were witnessing one of the most challenging and significant events of a generation.

“Children may be feeling overwhelmed, sad and stressed, so it’s critical in a time like this to ensure they feel protected and comforted.”