



The Center for Disease
Control and Prevention has some helpful tips for starting the conversation with
your kids about COVID-19 and for teaching them everyday things they can do to
help stop the spread of germs.
PBS has a wealth of
resources for talking to your children about illness, including links to Daniel
Tiger’s Neighborhood, Sesame Street and Curious George explaining handwashing,
germs, and other healthy habits to prevent illness. They also include Spanish
language resources for parents and children:
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
The National Association of
School Psychologists has a Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from
COVID-19 PDF available in English Spanish, Chinese, Korean, French, Vietnamese,
Bahasa, Urdu, and Hmong. The guide encourages parents to respond to children’s
questions with age-appropriate and honest answers and to monitor television and
social media viewing, among other tips. https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/covid-19-resource-center
National Geographic is
sharing their ideas for how to talk to kids about COVID-19 while staying calm and
being honest about how it impacts them, their family and daily life.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/in-the-news/coronavirus/talking-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/in-the-news/coronavirus/talking-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus/
The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention developed this kid-friendly video explaining COVID-19.
It can help you explain what we know about the virus to your little ones in a
way that they can understand, precautions they can take and will hopefully ease
worries they have about getting it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPsY-jLqaXM
The World Health
Organization has an online book available for children ages 6-11: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/09-04-2020-children-s-story-book-released-to-help-children-and-young-people-cope-with-covid-19
Teachers Pay Teachers has
an E-book available for children, grades Kindergarten through Third. The site
requires free registration to access the download: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-is-a-Pandemic-Freebie-5331387
During this stressful time,
it’s important for parents, children and youth to have someone to call for
information about stress management, healthy communication and positive
parenting. The Parents Anonymous Inc. helpline can be that support to families.
Parents Anonymous has skilled helpline staff and parent support groups, and
they can give parents the tools they need to talk to kids about COVID-19.
https://www.pe.com/2020/04/16/as-stress-rises-in-coronavirus-pandemic-so-does-risk-to-child-safety/
https://www.pe.com/2020/04/16/as-stress-rises-in-coronavirus-pandemic-so-does-risk-to-child-safety/
Susan Stutzman, owner of
Kid Matters Counseling, and Fernando Gonzalez, Child Therapist and Children’s
Book Author, have developed an information video to help parents navigate
talking to their kids about COVID-19, along with a free downloadable book to
help your children learn more about it.
https://kidmatterscounseling.com/blog/navigating-unexpected-situations-of-the-coronavirus-with-your-kids/
https://kidmatterscounseling.com/blog/navigating-unexpected-situations-of-the-coronavirus-with-your-kids/
The COVID-19 pandemic can
affect a lot more then just our physical health. While many of our kids are nervous
about getting sick, it’s important to talk to them about the other impacts the
virus can have. Here are five life lessons recommended by experts to teach your
kids during these unpredictable times: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/coronavirus-five-life-lessons-to-teach-kids-while-self-isolating.html
The American Academy of
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recognizes there is no right or wrong way to
talk to your kids about COVID-19 but wants to help parents by providing
suggestions to make the conversation a little easier.
https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/Docs/latest_news/2020/Coronavirus_COVID19__Children.pdf
https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/Docs/latest_news/2020/Coronavirus_COVID19__Children.pdf