4. Be ready to talk to children about death.
As we have more deaths related to the virus stateside, again, try to avoid euphemisms. Saying that a deceased family member “went to sleep” may provoke fears of sleeping at bedtime or nap time. Saying that “we lost” a family member may prompt fears of getting lost in public or wanting to search for the deceased person. A more accurate way to explain death of a loved one would be to say, “They are no longer alive. Their body will not work anymore, and they will not come back.” Acknowledge the feelings that the death of a loved one can bring up, and give your child empathy, but try to avoid unclear language.
5. Focus on the positives.
There is a lot to be worried and unhappy about right now, but we can help our children a great deal by maintaining positivity. One way to show the positive is to point out how much helping is happening. As Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers.” We are all helpers right now by staying home and washing our hands. Doctors, nurses and scientists are working hard right now to help us stay safe. Children need to feel hope and happiness to keep their brain developing in productive ways. Laughter, compliments, games and dance parties are vital right now to keep children’s spirits up.
***
This piece originally appeared here, published with permission.
