Student Wellbeing News

Here are some tips for discussing COVID-19 with your children:

As the number of coronavirus cases rise across Australia, the level of anxiety within the community is increasing.

We recommend parents talk to their children to ensure they are getting accurate information, rather than needing to address misinformation and rumours coming from classmates or online.

We advise that younger children should not be listening to news broadcasts about the virus, and that parents need to shield children from the news by translating what they need to know in a more appropriate way.

Here are tips for discussing COVID-19 with your children:

Assess what they know already. Find out what they understand so you know where to start.

Don't dismiss or minimise your child's fear — validate their concerns. It is reasonable to be concerned because they have probably never experienced anything like this before.

Make your explanation age appropriate, provide facts, and keep it positive. Tell them scientists and doctors are working on treatments. Reassure them that right now the risk of getting the coronavirus is low and most people only get cold-like symptoms.

Give them some control over what is happening. Teach the importance of hand washing and how to do it properly, remind them of their responsibility to protect others from coughs and sneezing. If they are very young, make a game of having good hygiene.

Make it an opportunity to learn. Talk about how our bodies fight viruses. Understanding the science can alleviate fears. Get them to do their own fact-checking on what they have heard at school.

Remind children that no-one should be ostracised or bullied because they have been associated with the virus.

Do not make it a one-time conversation. Keep checking in to see if they need reassurance or if they have any new questions.

The potential spread of the coronavirus in the community is worrying for many parents.

It is important to remember our mental health as well as our physical health.

"While we've got to keep our kids safe from coronavirus, we've also got to keep them healthy mentally as well."

Natalie Brown

Wellbeing Leader