Supporting Mental Health During the Pandemic

Below are several tips for our children and ourselves during the pandemic.

• Build a schedule. It’s important to stick to routines because predictability helps kids regulate. A schedule can help reduce stress and challenging behaviors. It helps kids know what is coming next. Work on a schedule together and add fun activities throughout the day.

• Create a rewards system. A positive reinforcement system (rewards) can help support motivation and increase engagement. Create a system with your child and discuss the expectations/ rewards together.

• Helping Children Cope with pandemic (article on ways to support your child specifically around COVID19). Do you notice your child feeling worried, nervous or anxious about Covid19? Share enough information with your child about what is happening. Discuss feelings/thoughts together and help your child find ways to feel less worried (ex: practice mindfulness together, playing board games, reading together, doing puzzles etc.).

• Encourage your child to stay active: engage in fun activities that will give them feelings of accomplishment and/or social connections daily. Remember to include these activities in their daily schedule.

• Recognize their frustration, irritability and/or angry feelings. Ask your child to share what is making them feel this way. Are they frustrated because they can’t see their friends? Frustrated with changes? Are they feeling worried and anxious about what’s happening? Acknowledge your child’s feelings and reason. Reassure them that you’re their support and identify things that can help them feel better (ex: practice mindfulness together, reading, taking a break, playing outside for a few minutes, etc.).

Here are two great resources for tips on helping your child with their mental health at home during COVID and distance learning.