Talking with kids about COVID-19

April 20, 2020

University Relations

The staff at the Student Health and Counseling Center have put together tips on how parents can talk with their children about COVID-19.

Be honest and factual

Speak at an age-appropriate level. Using language for your child's age, be honest with them! Focus on the facts, avoiding language that may lead children to blame others. Prepare to repeat information. Children may struggle to accept and understand the situation.

Pay attention to media

Consider limits on screen time. Pay attention to what media your children view. Help them find accurate information. Limit exposure to false information and frightening images.

Be reassuring and present

Don’t make promises you can’t keep, though. Let your child know you want to hear their questions and be there for them. Let them choose how much to talk about COVID. Provide validation of their emotions. Let them know what to expect (that you are trying to keep them safe, that many people in the community are helping one another).

Take care of yourself

Model ways of coping. Pay attention to how you are feeling. Stress is normal. Be aware of what you want your children to learn about stressful situations and how to cope. Take steps to care for yourself — it may help your kids learn how to cope with the situation.

Give a sense of power

Teach specific actions to your kids. Kids often feel better when they have power. Teach them how to reduce the spread of the virus. Teach how and when to wash hands. Tell them about physical distancing. Teach them why sneezing or coughing into their sleeve or a tissue matters.