[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/03\/how-to-talk-to-kids-covid\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/03\/how-to-talk-to-kids-covid\/","headline":"How to Talk to Kids About COVID-19","name":"How to Talk to Kids About COVID-19","description":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its […]","datePublished":"2020-03-21","dateModified":"2023-02-10","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/infectious-diseases-regions","name":"Infectious Diseases","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/infectious-diseases-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/infectious-diseases\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/iStock-1086726282.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/iStock-1086726282.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/03\/how-to-talk-to-kids-covid\/","about":["COVID-19","Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":839,"keywords":["COVID-19"],"articleBody":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its publish date. We also encourage you to visit other reliable websites for updated information, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and your state and local governments.\u00a0When it comes to anxiety, children aren\u2019t immune. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 32 percent of children have some sort of anxiety disorder. And many more experience daily stress or worries.Large worldwide events can cause kids to feel anxiety or stress on a personal level.The global pandemic COVID-19 has caused millions of illnesses and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. The disease is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.To help prevent the spread of the disease, schools are canceling classes.On an individual level, uncertainty about the disease and about the future is causing anxiety and stress. And while adults may experience worries themselves, they also should recognize they may need to help the children in their lives.\u201cIt\u2019s important to open a line of conversation and tell them if they have any questions, they should come to you,\u201d says Abigail Schlesinger, MD, chief of Behavioral Science at UPMC Children\u2019s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital. \u201cAnd if you can\u2019t get the answers, then you\u2019ll go to an expert to get the answers.\u201dHow Do Kids Handle Stress?The most important thing to recognize when it comes to children and COVID-19 is that they may react to it differently, Dr. Schlesinger says.\u201cMany children, when they\u2019re stressed, will either not want to deal with it at all and want to play, and that\u2019s OK,\u201d she says. \u201cOthers may become more stressed or upset.\u201dOften, children\u2019s reactions to anxiety-causing situations will include a difference in attitude or behavior. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights some warning signs, which can vary by age:Increased crying or irritationReverting to old behaviors (i.e. bedwetting)Increased worry or sadnessPoor eating or sleeping habitsIrritability, or \u201cacting out\u201dTrouble with schoolwork\/avoiding schoolTrouble keeping attention or concentrationAvoiding favorite activitiesHealth problems such as headaches or body painAlcohol, tobacco, or drug useIt\u2019s important to keep an eye out for those warning signs or other changes in behavior. It may help you recognize a bigger problem.What to Tell Your Kids About COVID-19While you may feel stressed about COVID-19, it can be important to talk to your children and let them know you\u2019re there for them if needed. Sharing information about what\u2019s happening may help them feel more at ease about the situation.\u201cIf they have questions, they can see you a source of information and a place to resolve questions,\u201d Dr. Schlesinger says.If you do talk to your kids about COVID-19, you can follow certain steps to try to lower their stress and anxiety.Be available: Just being there and being willing to talk is an important first step.Let them lead: Because not all children react the same way to situations, let them steer the conversation. Let them tell you what they want to know and ask any questions they might have. \u201cYou should ask them what they\u2019ve heard and what questions they have,\u201d Dr. Schlesinger says. \u201cWe often talk about giving developmentally appropriate answers, but if you let them lead the way and don\u2019t over-answer, then they will let you know where they are in terms of what questions they have and what they\u2019ve heard.\u201dGive accurate information: You should stay up to date on news and updates on COVID-19. Make sure you know the basic facts so you can answer your kids\u2019 questions when they ask. Get your information from reputable sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.Don\u2019t over-burden them: While you should be honest with your children and provide information, don\u2019t use them as a sounding board. Giving too many details could accidentally transfer some of your anxiety to them. Try to strike the right balance about what to share and what not to.Create a routine: With COVID-19 causing so much uncertainty, try to make things easier for your children by making a routine for things like diet, exercise, and more. It might help your children to have something they can follow if COVID-19 disrupted their normal schedule.Help them adapt: Teach your kids how they can prevent COVID-19 with tasks like wearing a facemask and proper handwashing.For more tips on how you can approach COVID-19 with your kids, contact UPMC Children\u2019s Hospital of Pittsburgh.SourcesAny Anxiety Disorder . National Institute of Mental Health. 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