Covid 19 support for parents
Covid 19 : ways to promote children's well-being.
Help children find positive ways to express feelings such as fear and sadness. Every child has their own way to express emotions. Sometimes engaging in a creative activity, such as playing, and drawing can facilitate this process. Children feel relieved if they can express and communicate their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
Keep children close to their parents and family, if considered safe for the child, and avoid separating children and their caregivers as much as possible. If a child needs to be separated from their primary caregiver, ensure that appropriate alternative care is provided and that a social worker, or equivalent, will regularly follow up on the child. Further, ensure that during periods of separation, regular contact with parents and caregivers is maintained, such as twice-daily scheduled phone or video calls or other age-appropriate communication (e.g., social media depending on the age of the child).
Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible, or create new routines, especially if children must stay at home. Provide engaging age appropriate activities for children, including activities for their learning. As much as possible, encourage children to continue to play and socialize with others, even if only within the family when advised to restrict social contract.
During times of stress and crisis, it is common for children to seek more attachment and be more demanding on parents. Discuss COVID-19 with your children using honest and age appropriate way. If your children have concerns, addressing those together may ease their anxiety. Children will observe adults’ behaviours and emotions for cues on how to manage their own emotions during difficult times.
Helpful documents
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Child Friendly Explanation of Coronavirus.pdf | Download |
| coping-with-stress-1.pdf | Download |
| coronavirus-mental-health-and-wellbeing-toolkit-3.pdf | Download |
| COVID-19 parenting tips.pdf | Download |
| COVID_19_Resource_Pack.pdf | Download |
| Helping_Children_Cope_with_Stress_During_the_COVID19_Outbreak (1).pdf | Download |
| Positive_Parenting_Guidance.pdf | Download |
| Remote education information for parents.pdf | Download |
| Young_Person_s_COVID_19_Leaflet.pdf | Download |
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