The process of explaining a global pandemic to any child is no easy task. The explanation process is even more challenging to explain to children. The COVID-19 crisis has caused the lives of many to come to an abrupt stop. Children are struggling to understand why their lives have changed so much, especially children with special needs. The following tips are way to help them understand what is going and transition into this new, temporary, lifestyle.
Sit down and talk to your child. The best way to explain the COVID-19 situation to your child is using words and pictures. Using simple pictures and explanation, help your child understand by telling them in a story. You can start by possibly explaining that people are becoming sick. Then try to explain the transmission cycle of infectious illnesses in simple terms. Show the child simple cartoon-like images explaining how a person becomes sick and how it is transmitted person to person. Keep it simple, in child-friendly terms to not frighten your child. Also, maintain a very positive learning experience and emphasize the focus and importance on preventative care such as washing hands, covering mouth when sneezing, and not touching one’s face as much.
Maintaining a daily routine to as normal as possible is vital in helping children with special needs adjust to the COVID-19 situation. By sticking to a familiar or regular schedule, children can be ready for the day’s activities and anticipate doing them. Having a picture schedule is most effective since it provides a visual aid to the activities that can be beneficial to the child. You can also use a weekly or monthly calendar with pictures/words so your child can know what to expect in the coming days. If your child tends to perseverate or have anxiety about the future, keep your schedule to a daily schedule to help avoid them worrying about the future and help them feel more in control. Limiting news and social media consumption might also be a good idea to prevent over exposure to information that is out of their control. As we know, dramatic news and social media can cause a major misinterpretation of the reality of a situation. You can still keep them up to date by putting the latest current events into your own words - making it more child-friendly and easy to learn.
Use technology to interact with your child’s loved ones. Children are often very attached to friends or family members living outside of the home. Keep up the communication with them via webcam calls or phone calls. Have your child engage in other ways to interact with loved ones through crafting, for example, have them decorate a card for their loved ones and engage them in the process to put it in the mail for them. When your child asks why your family is not visiting as much, reassure them by saying that you will see them soon instead of trying to explain social distancing regulations. Keeping up with loved ones virtually, over the phone and via exchange in mail can provide a sense of comfort for children feeling lonely during this time of quarantine.
Our therapists are here to help you keep your child up to date in the most caring, child-friendly and sensory-friendly ways possible. If your child is struggling in a particular area of routine or understanding, please consult with your child’s therapist. We are here to help and support you as well as give you continued home activities to promote skill development and social emotional engagement.