Dear Meyer Prep Families:
How can we be proactive and protect the children we care about when the health of our communities is so uncertain? Your children will look to you to determine how they should react. If you stay calm, you will be able to help guide your children through their complicated feelings. Here are some tips to help you manage your child’s anxiety, put news reports in perspective, and maintain a positive outlook.
- Keep things in perspective. Reassure your children that you and your family are healthy. Tell them that there are many adults who are working to keep them safe and healthy both at home and at school.
- Get the facts. It is helpful to adopt a more clinical and curious approach as you follow news reports about the virus. To that end, you will want to find a credible source you can trust. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a webpage dedicated to information on the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. You may also find useful information from local or state public health agencies or even your family physician. However, be mindful of your children's exposure to television and social media. Not all information is age-appropriate and can cause fear and confusion.
- Communicate with your children. Be available to your children when they would like to speak with you. Let them voice their thoughts and validate what they are saying. Discuss the coronavirus with honest and age-appropriate information. Parents can also help allay distress by focusing children on routines and schedules.
- Focus on basic hygiene. Children should be reminded of basic handwashing procedures. You should discuss how children should be washing frequently at home and at school. Our school routine involving this practice has increased, as has cleaning and hand and object sanitizing. Involving students in this practice can help give them a sense of control during this challenging time.
- Seek additional help. If your child feels an overwhelming nervousness, a lingering sadness, or other prolonged reactions that adversely affect their performance in school or interpersonal relationships, it is suggested to consult with a trained and experienced mental health professional. Psychologists and other appropriate mental health providers can help people deal with extreme stress. These professionals work with individuals to help them find constructive ways to manage adversity.
Please click on the following links to read additional advice from experts on how parents can help children and teens be prepared and have the right information about the coronavirus:
Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus.
Talking to Teens about the Coronavirus.
Please feel free to reach out to me should you have any questions.
L’Shalom,
Dr. Stefanie Gillman
Guidance Counselor
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