EXPERT ADVICE: Helping Children Cope With COVID

EXPERT ADVICE SUPPORTING CHILDREN DURING COVID-19

BY JENNIFER PINTILIANO MD, FAAP ELMHURST HOSPITAL

The coronavirus pandemic has affected the way that we all live. There is constant media exposure and many children have parents that work in the health care field.

Adults may think that children will not notice all the changes and the stress, but they are very sensitive to what is going on. Young children are highly affected by the quarantine and the anxiety of their parents and other adults.

Young children usually cannot express their distress and fears, so parents need to be aware of behaviors that can be observed. These include frequent crying, difficulty staying still, problems falling and staying asleep, nightmares, clinging to their caregivers and fears of being alone.

They can exhibit repetitive play, meaning they may repeat over and over again what they have heard. Young children may try to take special care of their dolls or stuffed animals and hide or cover them.

Some children may become very aggressive and angry. Others may withdraw from contact. Some may lose their toilet training, want a bottle rather than drinking from a glass, eat baby food or refuse to eat, and/or talk like a much younger child.

Older children and adolescents need their parents and other adults to be emotionally available to listen to them and hear their concerns. Parents should provide accurate, truthful information to adolescents.

Common behaviors that this group may exhibit during stress include aggression, withdrawal, difficulty sleeping and regression.

What can you do to help your children? • Create daily routines that include keeping set mealtimes, bedtimes and finding a time to do enjoyable things. For younger children, this can be sing-alongs, reading a book or playing games together.

For older children it could be having a talk, listening to music together or watching a movie or TV show as a family. It is important for your child to know that you will make time for them every day. Tell them you love them and give them plenty of affection. • Support and reassurance from parents or caregivers is very important during periods of stress and after the acute disaster is over. Help children in a way that is appropriate for their age. Keep explanations simple.

Remind children that researchers and doctors are learning as much as they can, as quickly as they can, about the virus and are taking steps to keep everyone safe. Help them understand that the pandemic will end and reasons why they cannot go to school or visit their friends.

Remind your children of what they can do to help, such as washing their hands often, coughing into a tissue or their sleeves, and getting enough sleep. • Monitor their media. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents and others who work closely with children to filter information and talk about the pandemic in a way that their child can understand.

Keep young children away from frightening images they may see on television, social media, computers, etc. For older children, talk together about what they are hear

Adapted from “Advice for Parents of Young Children During the Epidemic and Supporting Older Children & Adolescents Affected by and Isolated because of the COVID-19 Epidemic” (Joy D. Osofsky, Ph,D. and Howard J. Osofsky, M.D., Ph.D.), HealthyChildren.org, and “Giving Kids with ADHD Support and Structure During the Coronavirus Crisis” (Caroline Miller). ing on the news and correct any misinformation or rumors. • Take care of yourself. This is very important. Even if children are not directly exposed to the trauma, they can recognize stress and worry in older children and adults in the house. • Be a good role model. COVID19 doesn’t discriminate and neither should we. While COVID-19 started in Wuhan, China, it doesn’t mean that having Asian ancestry – or any other ancestry – makes someone more susceptible to the virus or more contagious.

Stigma and discrimination hurt everyone by creating fear or anger towards others. When you show empathy and support to those who are ill, your children will too. • Communicate with school. With social distancing in effect, children have to adjust to new ways of learning through remote schooling. Ask teachers and school staff how much of a role you should

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this inspires other landlords that rent to restaurants will follow suit.”

In addition, RDS Delivery is delivering meals for Catholic Charities of New York, Citymeals on Wheels, Housing Works, North Brooklyn Angels, Rethink Food NYC and World Kitchen.

“What shocks me is how just helping a client make the most of a challenging situation ballooned have in keeping your child or teen organized, focused and on task.

All parents should feel comfortable asking questions like, “What has worked for my child in the past when they needed to focus?”; “How much assistance should I be providing during homework?”; and “Who is in charge of monitoring assignment completion?”

All children will benefit from structure, so it’s important to have a schedule that is posted in the home. Schedule breaks during the school day. Research shows that children

“OLDER CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS NEED THEIR

PARENTS AND OTHER ADULTS

TO BE EMOTIONALLY AVAILABLE

TO LISTEN TO THEM AND HEAR

THEIR CONCERNS. ” - DR. JENNIFER PINTILIANO

can focus and work effectively for 45 minutes at a time, at most. Alternate schoolwork with enjoyable activities. Always make sure to give positive feedback to your child—tell them how great they are doing!

For more information on coronavirus and children, please visit healthychildren.org, cdc.gov,

RSD MEAL DELIVERIES

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