Specialists shed light on how to best communicate the important aspects of the virus to your children.

It has been the major topic of conversation for the past few weeks and by now, everybody has heard of the new coronavirus. However, the gravity of the situation has made it difficult for some parents to talk to their kids about the pandemic. Psychotherapist David Vandenbossche, specialised in stress regulation, provides key advice for a healthy conversation:

"I have come to notice that most kids are well-informed about the recent development. Some of them even have knowledge on the virus that was unknown to me,"he explained.

The psychotherapist further highlights the importance of being able to answer the questions of children and of being as clear and concise as possible throughout the process. The prospect of changes in our daily lives and routines needs to be discussed as well.

TWO MISTAKES TO AVOID

According to psychoanalyst Claude Almos, two mistakes need to be avoided at all cost:

  • Trying to be reassuring and therefore playing down the gravity of the situation. This should be avoided to not give impression to children that something is being hidden from them, provoking additional levels of anxiety
  • Trying to over dramatise the situation to put children on high alert. This should be avoided to not cloud the child's view with anxiety and precaution.

BEING STRAIGHTFORWARD

A familiar threat is always better than an unfamiliar one, according to Sud Ouest. Specialists agree that we should face the virus with honesty and clarity:

  • What is the virus? A small particle, invisible to the naked eye, sticking to objects and people alike, with a prevalence for quick distribution.
  • What can it do? An assimilation of particles can render certain people sick.
  • What can it not do? The virus cannot make everybody sick or kill the entire population, neither can the dangerous particles survive for eternity or attack animals.

Explanations will have to be adapted according to the age of the children, similar to the way one talks about other important issues (death, sexuality, etc.).

RTL