Communicating with children about Covid-19
While some children may be too young to understand the Covid-19 pandemic that the country currently faces, some may experience periodic anxiety attacks from the overload of information provided to them by parents, news and the social media
COMMUNICATION between parents and children is crucial during the lockdown period to avoid sensory overload and confusion.
While some children may be too young to understand the Covid-19 pandemic that the country currently faces, some may experience periodic anxiety attacks from the overload of information provided to them by parents, news and the social media.
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LifeLine Zululand director, Michelle Jewlal, says healthy communication begins with parents.
‘If parents have not done so already, they need to sit their kids down and have a conversation about what the coronavirus is and why the lockdown is important.
‘Parents also need to establish what their children are already thinking and what information they already have.’
Although the outbreak has caused many adults to become panicky, parents are urged to remain calm when talking to their children.
‘It is up to parents to equip themselves with factual information from the correct sources. They also need to monitor what kind of information their children are exposed to and dispel fake news.
Jewlal suggests that parents keep to a routine.
‘Children need to know and understand that the lockdown period is not a holiday and learning still needs to continue.
‘Parents need to establish set times for meals and for homework and the routine should be as close to the normal weekday and school routines.
‘This is also a great time for parents to get to know their children better and become actively involved in their schoolwork and interests,’ says Jewlal.
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