National Association of School Psychologists have written a care-givers guide for helping support children and young people during the Coronavirus, these tips include:

1. Take time to talk – ask them what they ready know and what they would like to know, explore this together.
2. Remain calm and reassuring – let them know that it is ok to feel worried, but there are adults to there to keep them safe.
3. Make yourself available – use this opportunity to place emphasis on resilience and strengths.  Help them see the many skills they have to cope with times of uncertainty.
4. Avoid excessive blaming – to reduce stigma, it is important to reiterate that the coronavirus is not anyone’s fault, and those who have the virus should not be stigmatised.
5. Monitor television viewing and social media –   CBBC Newsround is often played in classrooms as a means to keep children and young people up to date with current affairs.  Limiting exposure to only this channel may stop feelings of being overwhelmed with information.
6. Maintain normal routine to the extent possible – at school a child’s day is very structured, with the closing of schools this may be very unsettling to them.  There are different examples of ways to keep a routine here.
7. Be honest and accurate – explain that this are going to change, but they will be ok again.
8. Know the symptoms – know what to look out for to keep yourself and those around you safe.
9. Review hygiene – although there is no pressure to be up and showered for school, it is important that self-care and maintaining personal hygiene is followed.
10. Keep explanations age appropriate – for help with this, please view the information guide created by SAMHSA below.

 

NHS, COSLA, Youth Link Scotland, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Young Scot have come together to write a full document offering reliable advice, information and a list of trustworthy links for supporting children, young people and their families during this time.

The document offers more specific information on:

• Supporting children and young people to understand COVID-19
• Supporting children and young people with existing mental health difficulties
• Supporting children and young people with autism, neurodevelopmental disorders and/or learning disability
• Supporting children and young people who are looked after
• Supporting children and young people who don’t feel safe at home
• Looking after the adultsClick on the above picture to view the document in its entirety.

Information Guide – Supporting Children and Young People During Infectious Outbreaks

SAMHSA have produced an informative guide for care-gives, parents and teachers on supporting children and young people during infectious disease outbreaks.

This guide comprises of: What you should know, possible age-related reactions, how adults can support children and young people to manage their responses and tips for explaining the outbreak at different age-related stages.

Click on the picture above to view the whole guide.