How To Talk To Your Child About The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

"Disease," "state of emergency," "pandemic," "social distancing" – conversation about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pervades our global consciousness. Like all of us, children and teens may find themselves feeling stress and anxiety. Those feelings are completely understandable as we all work to comprehend this unprecedented global situation.
 
It’s important to remember that young people may sense your stress and make it their own. Your dialogue with them matters, so take time to learn how to best guide your child. Help them make sense of what they see and hear and understand their capabilities and strengths during uncertain times.

Responsibility, resilience and grit are called for in order to persevere and succeed. At MMA, we teach our cadets to take command of their lives. We are dedicated to making sure they develop those characteristics and have confidence in their abilities now and in the future.

Here are a few ways you can support your child's emotional and mental health …
 
Educate them.
 
In an environment of continually changing circumstances, it can often be easier to find misinformation than factual information – especially if your child is looking to their peers and social media for cues. Offer your child credible, valuable information.
 
For young children, this will mean having a plain conversation about the virus using age-appropriate language, and offering them child-friendly resources, such as this video from PBS. For older children and teens – who are likely getting a lot of their information online anyway – offer credible online resources, such as the CDC’s coronavirus webpage.
 
Give responsibility.
 
Children can manage a stressful situation better when they have power over their situation. Luckily, there is a lot they can do to protect themselves and prevent the spread of COVID-19 – washing their hands, not touching their face, cleaning and disinfecting their space, avoiding close contact with others or group gatherings, etc.
 
Help them understand that this kind of personal responsibility will keep them safe and those around them. That being said, these kinds of simple practices can often be forgotten or dismissed by kids – don’t be afraid to remind them regularly until you see a routine develop.
 
Teach respect.
 
When talking about COVID-19, avoid language that might lead to stigma, place blame, or make assumptions about who has COVID-19. Viruses stem from all over the world at any given time, and they have no prejudice in whom they make sick. No one should be outcast, stereotyped or bullied over this virus. Times of crisis can bring out the worst in people – encourage your child to always act with integrity.
 
Share expectations.
 
Uncertainty can be a driving factor of anxiety for children, especially when it disrupts their routine. Often, it might seem like the hardest part of this virus is the continually changing circumstances surrounding it. While we don’t know exactly what to expect in the weeks and months ahead, we do know we can expect changes in our schools, businesses and community. Talk to your child about being flexible with these changes and remind them that they are only temporary.
 
While they may not be able to see the same people or do the same things for now, encourage them to find creative ways to pass the time at home. Here is a list of fun things kids can do at home.

For information on Missouri Military Academy, please contact our admissions team at admissions@missourimilitaryacademy.com or at 573-581-1776, ext. 323.