It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused ,scared or angry during a crisis, same for children as well. World Health Organization provides some tips for parents to help children to cope with stress.
How to Respond to Children's Emotions? Download
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Children need adults' love and attention during difficult times. Give them extra time and attention.
If possible, make opportunities for the child to play and relax.
Keep to regular routines and schedules as much as possible, or help create new ones in a new environment, including school/ learning as well as time for safely playing and relaxing.
Provide facts about what has happened, explain what is going on now and give them chlear information about how to reduce their risk of being infected by the disease in words that they can understand depending on their age.
Remember to listen to your children, speak kindly and reassure them.
Try to keep children close to their parents or family. If separation occurs (e.g. hospitalization), ensure regular contact (e.g. via phone) and re-assurance.
Parents can encourage children to draw out their facial expression. Children can learn to aware their emotions through drawing.
Keep the drawings, they are the children's emotion diary. Review the emotion diary with children after they have calm down. Invite children to share their views on their emotion.
Source: UNICEF China, WHO Representative Office for China
