NCTSN suggests opening an ongoing dialogue with your child.

• Talk about their feelings and validate them.
• Help them express their feelings through drawing or other activities.
• Clarify misinformation or misunderstandings about how the virus is spread and that not every respiratory disease is COVID-19.
• Provide comfort and a bit of extra patience.
• Check back in with your children on a regular basis or when the situation changes.

The CDC offers Six General Principles for Talking to Children:

• Remain calm and reassuring.
• Make yourself available to listen and to talk.
• Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.
• Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online.
• Provide information that is honest and accurate.
• Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.