What does it mean to worry or have anxiety? When talking to children about worries, it is helpful to explain that a worry is a thought that upsets you and makes you feel bad (yucky) on the inside. It can be a specific thought that makes you feel scared. Whether the worry makes sense to other people, it seems very real to the person feeling it. It can be felt and experienced in both the brain and body.
Is worrying about the CoronaVirus normal? It is very normal and expected for children to worry about the CoronaVirus. This is a new situation and for many of them the unpredictability of the situation can cause anxiety. There are several ways we can work together to help our children deal with worries they may be experiencing.
What can I do to help my child? Below are some tools and resources to help you at home, please note that many of these strategies and tools will be taught and practiced at school throughout the year. We encourage you to try them at home, and to talk to your child about their worries. The safety and emotional wellbeing of your children and our students is very important to us here at Shatekon.
Practice Positive Self-talk
I will be oK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ybVwoSzS2c&t=3s
I can handle it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxl0fHOiAqs
Helping children focus on what they can control boosts their confidence and empowers them. A great book to consider is Wilma Jean The Worry Machine by Julia Cook https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfva5ltdpEw
Deep Breathing
Additional Resources
Talking to kids about the Coronavirus https://www.counselorkeri.com/2020/03/14/talk-to-kids-about-coronavirus/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skbOQdslKqk
Jack’s Worry by Sam Zuppardi, A story about a boy who learns to tell an adult about his worries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ0wyzjr5mg
Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-l2wcjfS8I