Downloadable Coloring Pages

First and foremost, Remember that the most important thing you can do for your child is create a feeling of safety!

1.      Control your own anxiety- Children are emotional sponges. They will pick up your feelings as parents: anxiety, fear, frustration, irritability, sadness, boredom and confusion. They won’t have the cognitive ability to understand it, or the language to describe what they are feeling. They may act out the emotions they pick up from you.

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2.       Keep them in contact with loved ones virtually.

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3.       Take care of them physically. Make sure they get adequate sleep, healthy nutrition, and exercise. Educate them to hand washing (20 seconds- you can use the handwashing song on this page).  Teach them not to touch their face, eyes, nose, and mouth.

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4.      Keep routines and schedules as normal as possible. Waking, sleeping, bath time, mealtime, schoolwork, phone calls, and time together as a family.

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5.      Ask children what they know, have heard and what they are concerned about.

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6.      Be open and honest with children. Modify what you share so it is age appropriate. 

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7.      Validate their feelings and concerns. Identify what they are feeling, normalize their feelings, encourage them and reassure them. They will be grieving losses. Loss of connection to friends, loved ones/grandparents, playtime outside of the home, school, teachers, and normalcy they are used to. It will be normal to feel : bored, sad, scared, confused, mad, lonely, and happy at times.

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8.      Model behavior for them.  Examples: Washing hands, wearing masks, talking about feelings.

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9.    Give lots of affection, reassurance, and positive reinforcement.

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10.  Spend quality time with them. Be creative with play, family time, camping in the backyard, picnics in the backyard, making meals together, playing games together, fun art projects. Include the children in coming up with creative ways to spend time alone and as a family. 

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Young children may show signs of regressive behavior.

They may act out their anxiety. They may be more clingy and needy. They may need more nurturing. Be patient. Provide positive reinforcement. Teach them how to wash their hands. Provide structure and routine.

School age children will have better understanding but may still be confused.

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Provide structure, schedules and routine. Keep communication lines open. Validate and reassure them. They may not open up about how they are feeling. Don’t assume that because they aren’t talking about their feelings, they are not experiencing anxiety. Spend one on one special time with them. Provide positive reinforcement. They may also show signs of regressive behavior.

Teens may become more irritable.  

Be patient and understanding. Encourage them to talk about what they are feeling and how it is impacting their life. Allow them to stay in contact with peers online and by phone. Be more lenient on limits on their electronic time. Their social connection is very important at this age. Encourage they stick to schedules and routines as well. Provide positive reinforcement. Encourage healthy nutrition, sleep schedules, and meals with family.