{"id":2052,"date":"2021-07-19T13:42:56","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T06:42:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/?p=2052"},"modified":"2021-12-21T09:28:53","modified_gmt":"2021-12-21T02:28:53","slug":"how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-the-covid-19-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"How to talk to your child about the COVID-19 pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

COVID-19 is raging in Thailand. With a slower-than-expected vaccination program, cases and deaths on the rise, and pressure on the healthcare system, the country (particularly Bangkok and the areas surrounding it) is back on high alert. This is its deadliest wave since the start of the pandemic, and it’s only expected that fear and anxiety will ripple through households. And yes, this can include kids.<\/p>\n

Kids aren\u2019t immune to the things that go on around them. They may catch a glimpse of the news, hear something from their friends, or simply pick up on the sombre mood in their homes. They may even be told that someone in their household needs to self-isolate or be told they\u2019ll have to go back to remote learning come August\/September when (international) schools are scheduled to reopen.<\/p>\n

Parents, family members, and other trusted adults can play a very important role in helping children make sense of the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that minimizes their fear and anxiety – a task which proves especially difficult if the adults in question are also feeling this way. But worry not – this Pacific Prime Thailand<\/a> article breaks it down for you, guiding you on what to say about COVID-19 and how to say it.<\/p>\n

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4 tips to talk to your child about the COVID-19 pandemic<\/h2>\n

Conversations between parent and child about COVID-19 (and indeed most other things) should be open, honest, and reliable. Here are some things to bear in mind when teaching kids about coronavirus – but they, of course, should be tailored to your child\u2019s age and individual circumstances.<\/p>\n

1. Start a dialogue: Find out what they already know<\/h3>\n

Rather than holding a one-way conversation, seek to understand what your child already knows and start a dialogue. Ask questions catered to their age levels. For older kids, you could ask: \u201cWhat are you hearing about the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand?\u201d. For younger kids, you could ask: \u201cHave you heard about the new virus that\u2019s spreading here?\u201d. By doing so, you\u2019ll find out whether they have access to accurate information and how they\u2019re feeling about the situation.<\/p>\n

To follow up, you could ask where they\u2019ve got their information from and guide them on the best sources of information. If this is from certain media sites, use this as an opportunity to teach them about media literacy, media agendas, and put the news into context. If they\u2019re too young to understand, you can also consider reducing the amount of news they watch (or the amount of news you watch around them).<\/p>\n

Remember to follow your child\u2019s lead. If they seem uninterested or unengaged, that\u2019s perfectly fine as well and there\u2019s no need to push them. Just tell them that it\u2019s normal to feel stressed at times, and that it\u2019s okay to talk about one\u2019s feelings. Make sure they know that you\u2019re available to talk and listen, and that they can come to you whenever they want to – no matter how small their concerns may seem.<\/p>\n

2. Do you sense fear? Reassure them that they\u2019re safe<\/h3>\n

Whether your kids tell you that they\u2019re scared or you sense it from the things they say and do (for example, if they seem overly concerned about their grandparents, obsessive with their hand washing, amongst others), you should reassure them. Speak to them in a calm manner, as kids pick up on your worries. Let them know it\u2019s okay to feel scared – that millions around the world are feeling this way also.<\/p>\n

Reassure them that vaccinations have started<\/a> and that\u2019s a good sign. Have you already got the vaccine? Tell them so they can feel less worried about you. Share that scientists all over the world are working to develop a third booster shot, and that in some places kids as young as 12 can get the jab. Explain how the situation improved with vaccination in many countries (such as the UK) and that Thailand should get better eventually.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> Haven\u2019t been vaccinated yet? Check out the latest COVID-19 vaccine registration for expats in Thailand<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, you can also share with them how you deal with your own worries so they can learn how to cope from you. This may be sticking to a routine, staying busy and productive during the day, and doing meditation or breathing exercises to wind down at night, amongst others. You can even do some of these activities together, and spend precious time bonding with your kids.<\/p>\n

3. Questions are inevitable. Answer them in a factual manner.<\/h3>\n

2020 (and by extension 2021) has been the year of uncertainty. As such, questions are inevitable – particularly if your kids were old enough to remember the pre-pandemic world. Given that life in Thailand was pretty much normal until April 2021, your child is likely to have questions about why this is the case and what went wrong. It\u2019s important to answer in a factual manner, and don\u2019t be afraid to say you don\u2019t know the answer.<\/p>\n

Here are some questions you should be prepared to answer.<\/p>\n