If your child is demonstrating signs of fear, worry or anxiety …Try these strategies:

• Label their emotions:
  • For example,
  • “How do you feel when ____ happens.”
  • “You look upset to me. Can you tell me how you are feeling?”
• Allow your child to talk freely
• Ask them open questions (e.g. what, how, why) to describe their feelings.
• Normalize their emotions:
  • You can tell them that it is natural to be worried or nervous at times.
  • Let them know that there are times that you are also worried and anxious.
  • You can then tell them how you handle stress and serve as a role model for them in coping with challenges associated with COVID.
• Tell your child it is natural to be worried or afraid at times.
• If they are feeling worried or anxious:
• Reduce their emotions:
  • Make sure to correct misinformation as children often imagine situations that are worse than reality. 
  • “I know you are nervous about the virus, but there are things we can do to keep from getting sick. Let’s practice those things together”
• Teach your child relaxation strategies, such as deep breathing or belly breathing.
• Act as a role model, showing them how you handle strong emotions.
• Be honest and accurate about social distancing and why routines are changing, but focus on the positive (e.g., “Isn’t it great that we have more time to spend together!”).
• Empathize with your child’s feelings but do not reinforce fears
• Keep a regular schedule/routine.
• Focus on the positive:
• Celebrate having more time as a family - do family projects and make it as fun as possible. 
• Allow older children to connect with their friends virtually.
• Encourage positive actions, such as writing a caring letter to a family member or friend.
• Remind your children that you are available to them, that you care about them, and that they can talk to you anytime.