The continued spread of the "Covid-19" pandemic around the world increases the general concern about the epidemic infection and the health risks associated with it among people, but many of us may sometimes overlook the assessment of the impact of this pandemic and its news on adolescents and the younger children, who have become almost Isolated from social life abroad, given their absence from schools and their staying more in the home, which if he kept them safe, it did not prevent them from facing a huge amount of daily information that raises their anxiety and confusion, which puts the parents and adults of the family thus in front of the responsibility to communicate with them quietly , And answer their questions related to this new disease without intimidating them, in five different ways:
1 explanation of the disease without intimidating them
Psychologists advise parents to explain the matter to their children by saying, for example, that the coronavirus most often looks like a large flu, and that it will not attack them intuitively because it rarely targets and affects children's health. They can also reassure them by following very simple habits that the child smoothly assimilates to protect himself and his family, such as washing their hands regularly or avoiding handshakes during this period. Psychologists also advise parents to assess the psychological preparations of their children, and determine the level of their fear before answering their questions.
2 keep them away from TV and the Internet
Some of the catastrophic psychological effects that can affect the psychology and morale of children can be issued by modern sources of information, such as news channels and the Internet, especially social media, which they accept to communicate with their friends. Therefore, it is always advised to invest children's time in mental and recreational activities that keep them away from these modern means of broadcasting news of death and calamities, and increase the levels of adult support for them in all aspects of daily life inside and outside the home, and to ensure that they do not reach any means of broadcasting disastrous news that affects their psyche.
3 adults working for their safety
Adults must cope with the situation imposed by the epidemic in social life and our relationships with others. Adults and parents can also reassure children that even if our habits change today compared to the past due to the spread of disease, such as our growing concern for preventive measures, permanent sterilization and social separation, all of this is for our safety and the safety of those around them. It is important for children to know that there are people who work to make sure people do not get sick. And we can also tell them that there are really smart people who are working to improve conditions to protect everyone.
4 teach them hygiene habits
It is important to focus on the habits of using methods of prevention, sterilization, and personal hygiene on a regular basis that young children can be affected by observing adults, as it was found that it is the best effective and indirect way that affects the habits of a child who does the same. Adults can also teach children to wash their hands while singing the alphabet song. Or chant, "Oh my God, I touched my nose." I will wash my hands again, ”to get children used to protection habits. It is necessary to get them used to washing their hands after playing outside or before eating, because it is a necessary and healthy routine that is valid for life.
5 coexist with closing schools
Long staying in homes because of the isolation procedures and the withdrawal of children from the tumultuous social life that they used to live during school days with their peers can be stressful for children, some of whom wonder if their friends are still friends, so adults need to provide children with tools to ensure their coexistence with the situation in ways that Different, some of them lie in helping them to organize and adhere to their times. Specialists also advise parents to invite children and teenagers to share their feelings with their friends, either with virtual visits or phone calls.