By Elizabeth Casselton, MA, RMP, Psychotherapist and Director of Kidspace

As adults, we are hyper-aware of the situation we are facing with regards to the Coronavirus pandemic. Within our efforts to keep our families safe, we must remember that children are also susceptible to feeling effects on their mental health. Our children’s lives have changed dramatically and rapidly and they (especially younger children) will unlikely have the same capacity as adults to make sense of the situation. 

Children may be subject toconfusion, stress, sadness, anxiety and frustration, but they may not know how to express their feelings. We may instead notice changes in their behaviour such as irritability, defiance, increased sensitivity, low energy or changes to appetite or sleep, among others. 

One way to support children through this time is to provideplenty of opportunities for them to talk, to express themselves and for us to really listen and answer any questions they may have.

How to do so?

• Choose a safe space and time of day when you can give them your full attention and you aren’t tootired, stressed, or rushed (many of you will be trying to work from home while caring for your children).

• Speak in a calm, reassuring tone.

• Have these conversations sooner rather than later, so that you are your child’s trusted source of information (rather than unreliable internet sites, for example).

What to do?

• Keep it simple, straightforward and factual, and include positive messages where possible.

• Reassure your child that most people only get a mild illness and fully recover within a few weeksand that children rarely get verysick.

• Use the discussion as an opportunity to explore and learn about new things together – for example, how our bodies fight off viruses and that different symptoms of sickness are a sign we are working to get well. 

• Explain that the lockdown situation is a temporary measure designed to keep us safe. 

• Be prepared for your child to ask questions and encourage them to do so. If you don’t know the answer, be honest and say you will get back to them or research something together. 

• Beware of giving excess or more worrying information. Limit exposure to the news and media feeds. 

• Try not to tell children not to worry. If they are asking about the situation, they may not be worried, just curious and that answer could start them worrying. Alternatively,they may be worrying already. So,telling them not to do so dismisses their fears and leaves them feeling that they have not been listened to.

• Play is an excellent way for children to process informationand make sense of their feelings. Children will express emotions in their play so it is worth supporting expressive play. Playing alongsideyour children is good for both of you.

• Children may also paint and draw to express themselves. Providing resources for this to happen willbe helpful.

Above all, it is important to remember that as parents, we must take care of ourselves and give attention to our own well-being in order to have the patience and energy to support our children. We must try our best to ‘fill our own cups’ and be mindful that we cannot pour from an empty one.