Blog

In recent days, the issue of coronavirus and the threat of its unpredictable spread in our country has rapidly and directly touched the lives of all of us.

It is therefore completely natural as parents to worry even more about our children.

However, no matter how much we want to protect them from what is happening in the world around us, this is not possible.

The closure of schools, the disruption of their schedule, the discussions of adults, the discussions between children, our own expected anxieties and concerns, are all perceived in some way by children.

If we do not talk to them, it is very likely that children will imagine much worse than what is actually happening.

On the other hand, however, exposure to excessive and extreme stimuli and reactions, as well as constant preoccupation and discussion about the topic of coronavirus, can also be particularly upsetting for children, given the changes in everyday life their.

What can help?

We speak in simple and understandable words according to the child’s age

Children, in principle, should solve their questions with us and not watch the news, especially the younger they are.

It is important that they are informed by us about what is happening in simple and understandable words because that way we have the control to inform them correctly in the way we want.

We can tell them, for example, that schools were closed to be cleaned, so that many people do not get infected, that this disease is not equally dangerous for everyone, but mainly for some more sensitive people.

We start with what they ask and already know

It is always helpful to answer “as much as” we are asked and to start the conversation with what the children already know and have heard.

The older the children are, the more they have already heard and thought about on their own. Therefore, it is important to be honest without lying about things they may already know.

We declare availability

We remind the children that they can ask us anything they want and that we are there for them for whatever they need. It is very important that they feel available to express their questions when they wish.

We remain calm

It is particularly important to be able to reassure our children, to maintain our optimism and composure and to avoid excessive reactions by openly questioning the exaggerations that are sometimes heard.

We maintain a schedule and routine

It is also important to maintain a regularity and routine in children’s lives because this way we cultivate a sense of security and avoid the insecurity that arises when they do not know what will happen next in their day. You can create a new schedule with your children that is as similar as possible to the old one and includes fixed hours for sleeping, eating, playing, and relaxing.

Personal hygiene rules, an opportunity for more responsibility

We can see education in observing personal hygiene rules as an opportunity for children to learn to take better care of themselves and to develop or evolve autonomy and responsibility towards themselves and others.

More time “together”

It is a unique opportunity, even if you are at home, to spend quality and quantity time with your children, to read, play, create, discuss, and do housework together. See this time at home as an opportunity to “reacquaint yourself”, to get closer, to collaborate, to share and to have beautiful moments.

Finally, try not to increase the time your children spend in front of screens!