Discussing coronavirus with children

Nicola Woollaston discusses how to talk to children about COVID-19, strategies to diffuse anxiety for different age groups, and ideas that can be implemented in homes to create calm and supportive environments.

Topics

Infants and toddlers - supporting this age group and their parents
Pre-schoolers - how to explain things to this age group?
Explaining COVID-19 to younger school aged child (6-12 years)
Youth and young adults
Techniques to help children manage stress and worry
Managing the transition between lockdown and back to educational facilities

Take home messages

Keep it simple
When it comes to COVID-19 ask children what they know
Routines are important
Give back some control for kids who feel overwhelmed
The power of positive touch

Resources

Supporting Children & their Whānau through COVID19: Managing Anxiety & Looking Forward Nicola Woollaston 2020 (PDF)
Coronavirus explained for kids with Michelle Dickson YouTube (2020)
The side eye: Viruses versus Everyone The Spinoff (2020)

Presenter

Nicola Woollaston

Registered teacher, certified child life specialist

Nicola Woollaston is a registered teacher, a certified child life specialist and a registered hospital play specialist. Team Leader of the Hospital Play Service at Starship Hospital and president of the Hospital Play Specialist Association Aotearoa/NZ. She has 4 children at home and is very aware of the stressors and challenges of balancing work, children and living in uncertainty.