“What is coronavirus?”  This is the likely question you are receiving from your children who are starting to recognize the word. 

 Don’t leave your kids in the dark.

“It’s really important for parents to be educated on the facts themselves and address any false information quickly,” said Dr. Michael Chang, pediatric infectious disease expert at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Assistant Professor Of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. “Kids are going to hear a lot of different things at school, so parents will also need to keep up to date.”

If you are wondering how to bring up coronavirus in a way that will be reassuring and not alarming to your children, here are some tips from Dr. Chang and the experts at Memorial Hermann.

• Talk, talk, talk. Most children will have already heard about the virus or have seen people wearing face masks, so parents shouldn’t avoid talking about it. Not talking about something can actually make kids worry more.
• Be age appropriate. Volunteering too much information may be overwhelming. Instead, try to answer your child’s questions by addressing the facts. Answer each question honestly and clearly.
• Pick the right time. Find a time when you are not feeling anxious or panicked. Take some time to calm down before trying to have a conversation or answer any questions from your child.
• Be reassuring. Hearing about the coronavirus on the news or across social media channels may be enough to make children seriously worry. It’s helpful to reassure your child that the symptoms are often mild and that kids actually seem to be less susceptible to it.
• Focus on facts not fear. An important way to reassure kids is to emphasize the safety precautions that you and the family are taking. We know that coronavirus is transmitted mostly through direct and prolonged contact with someone who is exhibiting symptoms like coughing and sneezing. The CDC recommends thoroughly washing your hands as the primary means of staying healthy. So remind kids that they are taking care of themselves by washing their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (or the length of two “Happy Birthday” songs) when they come in from outside, before they eat, and after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the bathroom.
• Stick to your schedule. Children do not like uncertainty. Stick to your regular schedule as much as possible. This is particularly important if your child’s school or daycare shuts down. Structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes are an essential part of keeping kids happy and healthy.
• Lead by example.  Your children will look to you on how to react or respond to this situation. Reinforcing the preventive measures and addressing just the facts of the situation will help you and your child navigate through this difficult time. 

For more information on COVID-19, please visit http://www.memorialhermann.org/coronavirus/ or www.cdc.gov.