, safety measures and protocols. The changes we are experiencing can be especially stressful for the young people in our lives.
Premiere Academy has one and a half decades of experience in guiding, teaching, mentoring, training, educating and providing positive learning experiences for young adults around the world – and we have seen how kids can be among the most vulnerable in times of crisis, such as COVID-19. We have seen how crucial it is for parents, guardians and caregivers to be well equipped to help youths understand and communicate what they are going through.
The following tips can help children cope with frightening or traumatic events.
- Create a sense of safety
Because children will feel vulnerable and overwhelmed, it’s important to initially focus on being protective and offering them physical comforts — blankets, favourite foods, calming activities — to restore their sense of security. Spending extra time together as a family is a refuge to kids in times of uncertainty.
- Limit exposure to news
Don’t rely on the news to give your child the information they’re looking for. Sounds and images from news reports are often too vivid for children and these make them internalize the trauma even more. It’s important to clarify their confusion and give honest answers, but stick to the basic facts and follow up with the reassurance that their safety is the most important thing to you.
- Be prepared to deal with fears and worries
Common childhood fears may intensify after a crisis. Kids are often more afraid of the dark and being alone. Sleep problems and physical symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches become more frequent, especially for younger children who cannot verbalize their feelings. You can help children soothe themselves by reading stories, playing gentle music, giving back rubs and serving comfort foods. They need to be reassured with both words and hugs.
- Beware of common reactions to crisis
Each child is unique in how he or she responds to frightening events. Some children may become more quiet or withdrawn, while others may become irritable or act up to get more attention. Many kids will begin acting younger by sucking their thumb or clinging to parents. It’s important to remember that these are all normal reactions to times of uncertainty and to respond in a calm and caring way.
- Take time to listen
Make sure children have the opportunity to express their feelings and concerns. Asking open-ended questions (“What news did you hear? How do you feel? Do you have any questions?”), allows them to identify their needs. Actively listen without correcting or minimizing their emotions and follow up with clear statements of reassurance.
- Encourage writing and drawing about the experience
Some kids may not feel like talking, so provide other ways for them to express themselves. Writing and drawing pictures can help kids deal with what’s troubling them. Use these as an opportunity to remind them that it's okay to feel the way they do. You can help by continuing to listen and accepting where they are emotionally throughout the healing process.
Art and writing provide children of all ages an opportunity to express themselves and cope with stress in ways that they often can't describe verbally, our strong emphasis at Premiere Academy.
- Remember to play
Play is every child’s natural form of communicating and processing events. Kids can tell stories about what they’ve heard and how they feel, even if they don’t fully comprehend it. It’s also a healthy distraction from difficult circumstances and provides an outlet to relieve pent-up energy and stress.
- Model healthy coping skills
Your kids will look to you not only for reassurance, but how to deal with their own complicated emotions. Allow yourself enough private time to process what you’re going through so you have the resources to be there for them. But don’t feel like you need to hide signs of distress all the time — should your children see you get upset, you can be an example by telling them that you may be feeling sad right now, but you have ways to help yourself feel better soon.
- Monitor behaviour over time
While it is normal for children’s behaviour to change in response to crisis, symptoms of stress can become problematic if they linger. Simply keep an eye on changes in their sleeping, eating, playing, studying and socializing habits. If there are no improvements over time, reach out to a professional for help.
- Inspire a positive response
Kids need to rediscover a sense of personal empowerment and resilience after an event very much out of their control. Help them direct their feelings constructively and consider what they can do to help others. One way kids can help is through supporting local and global organizations providing relief during this crisis. By starting a fundraiser like 12-Year Old Jasper’s Birthday Wish, they can share their voice and join a powerful force for good. Having them start a fundraiser, write a card, or volunteer along with family, etc not only gives them something positive to focus on, but sets the tone for giving back through anything life brings.
We hope these tips are helpful as you and your children navigate this stressful time and adapt to our new normal life during the COVID-19 crisis.