Help Kids Feel in Control

• Give your child specific things they can do to feel in control. Teach kids that getting lots of sleep and washing their hands well and often can help them stay strong and well. Explain that regular hand washing also helps stop viruses from spreading to others. Be a good role model and let your kids see you washing your hands often!

• Talk about all the things that are happening to keep people safe and healthy. Young kids might be reassured to know that hospitals and doctors are prepared to treat people who get sick. Older kids might be comforted to know that scientists are working to develop a vaccine. These talks also prepare kids for changes in their normal routine if schools or childcare centers close in the future.

• Put news stories in context. IF THEY ASK, explain that death from the virus is still rare, despite what they might hear. Remind students that not all media sources are reliable. Here's a great resource for talking to children about what they see from the National Association of School Psychologists. My personal favorite resource is this one from the National Children's Traumatic Stress Network.

• Kids and teens often worry more about family and friends than themselves. For example, if kids hear that older people are more likely to be seriously ill, they might worry about their grandparents.

• Let your kids know that it's normal to feel stressed out at times. Everyone does. Recognizing these feelings and knowing that stressful times pass and life gets back to normal can help children build resilience.

Bilingual Picture Book on Coronavirus for K1/K2/1st Bilingual Students
HarvardResource
Age appropriate discussion
Comic explaining COVID-19

Please remember to check the BPS website: https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/coronavirus and/or Boston Health Commission: https://bphc.org/onlinenewsroom for daily updates. We will continue to send letters, push emails and all-calls with updates, regularly. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time.

• Testing is free regardless of insurance or immigration status, and will not affect "public charge" rule determinations.

• All sites require you to call ahead for pre-screening and to schedule an appointment.

• Hours vary between sites. Please call ahead.

• Many of these sites have capacity for languages in addition to English.

• Contact your health insurance provider with insurance coverage questions.

The multilingual Mayor's Health Line (617-534-5050) can help with health insurance applications, navigating Boston's health care system and COVID-19 questions.

Testing Sites of COVID-19 in Boston

Incredible Rolodex of Resources