10 Ways to Take Care of Your Child’s Emotional Needs during COVID-19

Maintain a familiar schedule. This will provide a sense of normalcy, which will, in turn, reduce anxiety. The best way to ensure your child or teenagers follow the daily routine is by involving them in the planning thereof. Set up a fun rewards chart for following routines.

Avoidance may increase fear and anxiety. Rather open up family conversation by answering your children’s questions and using language that they’ll understand. Do not give false information. Focus on reassuring them about the future and the steps being taken to keep them safe.

This includes more than physical needs. Make sure your home is an emotional haven by acknowledging your child’s fears and feelings. Be open. Listen to your children as they look to you for support.

Keep exposure to the media and unnecessary “adult conversation” regarding COVID-19 to a minimum.

Don’t forget about loved ones. Zoom, FaceTime and video call. Stay in touch and update them on any achievements or milestones – from a family project to a visit from the tooth fairy.

When children are bored, levels of worry and disruptive behaviours may increase. Provide activity options that include indoor and outdoor structured play, and ask your child what they enjoyed most.

Exercise can be very helpful. And don’t underestimate the importance of messy play. Very young children use messy play to work through their emotions.

Regression is a common reaction during stressful life events. Recognise regression as a sign that your child is overwhelmed. Do not shame or scold your child, rather gently react with increased support, even if it seems like you are giving in to childish demands.

Setting aside time daily to connect with your child will stop their nervous systems from going into fight, flight or freeze mode. The more “connection” time you are able to have by being physically close and creating special, one-on-one time together, will have a direct impact on your child’s experience of COVID-19, as well as how they cope in the months to come.

Try your best to make time for each of your children.

Play is a child’s language and how new information is processed. They need to play to make sense of what they are experiencing and to understand life better. It’s important to provide ample space and time to play. Don’t criticise your kids if play seems a little morbid or aggressive at the moment. Themes including illness and death are to be expected.

Children rely on their parents for their emotional needs, and young children especially regulate their own emotions based on the emotional response of their parents. You won't be able to model healthy behaviour if you don’t take care of yourself too.

Children’s responses to stressful events are unique. Some may be irritable, regress, demand extra attention, or have difficulty sleeping and eating. The impact of COVID-19 and their responses could be influenced by factors such as social support, age, emotional maturity, inherent resilience, and level of exposure to the virus. Be patient, ride it out. This too shall pass.

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The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this article/post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Woolworths or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and/or advisors.