Effective Principals 2020 | Ms. Chethana J, Principal of HMV International School

How parents can support their kids through the covid-19 Outbreak

The novel coronavirus pandemic, known as Covid-19, could not have been more predictable. The contagiousness and deadliness of COVID-19 have necessitated drastic social management to halt transmission. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) brings with it feelings like anxiety, stress and uncertainty — and they are felt especially strongly by children of all ages. Though all children deal with such emotions in different ways, if your child has been faced with school closures, cancelled events orseparation from friends, they are going to need to feel loved and supported now more than ever.

Be calm and proactive : “Parents should have a calm, proactive conversation with their children about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and the important role children can play in keeping themselves healthy.

Let your child feel their emotions: With school closures come cancelled school plays, concerts, sports matches and activities that children are deeply disappointed about missing out on because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Check in with them about what they’re hearing : There is a lot of misinformation circulating about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Find out what your child is hearing or what they think is true.” Many children are facing bullying and abuse at school or online around the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It’s important your children know that you’re always there for them should they experience bullying; rather we should encourage them to turn to friends or adults for help and support.”

Create welcome distractions: When it comes to processing difficult emotions, “take your cues from your child, and really think a lot about balancing talking about feelings with finding distractions, and allow distractions when kids need relief from feeling very upset.” Have a family game night every few days or cook meals together.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has upended family life around the world. School closures, working remote, physical distancing — it’s a lot to navigate for anyone, but especially for parents. We teamed up with the Parenting for Lifelong Health initiative to bring parents and caregivers a set of handy tips to help manage this new (temporary) normal.  Following tips to become  a positive parent in  COVID-19 Be open and listen: Allow your child to talk freely. Ask them open questions and find out how much they already know.Be supportive: Your child may be scared or confused.

Give them space to share how they are feeling and let them know you are there for them.Keeping it positive during the coronavirus outbreakIt‘s hard to feel positive when our kids or teenagers are driving us crazy. We often end up saying “Stop doing that!”. But children are much more likely to do what we ask if we give them positive instructions and lots of praise for what they do right.Teens especially need to be able to communicate with their friends. Get structured COVID-19 has taken away our daily work, home and school routines. This is hard for children, teenagers and for you.

Making new routines can help. Learning through play: Millions of children face school closure and isolation in their own home. This tip is about learning through play – something that can be fun for all ages! Exercise daily,Singing /Dancing. Exercise daily, Play or sing a song, and the first one to guess it right becomes the next leader. Make up a song about handwashing or physical distancing.

Add dance movementCreate healthy and safe online habits : Involve your child or teen in creating family tech agreements. Help your children learn how to keep personal information private, especially from strangers  some people are not who they say they are! Keep your children safe with open communication : Create trusting relationships and open communication through positive support and encouragement. Family harmony at home : When we model peaceful and loving relationships, our children feel more secure and loved. Positive language, active listening and empathy help maintain a peaceful and happy family environment during these stressful times.

Be an empathetic active listener : Be supportive, empathetic and loving.  Listen to others when they are talking with you.. Be open and show them that you hear what they are saying. Involve children and teens in making a family budget, Build your own budget. A budget is how we decide what we will spend our money on, even in stressful times.                                      

STAY SAFE , STAY HEALTHY

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