There is currently a lot of worry and uncertainty around the coronavirus outbreak and children and young people will be affected by the changes going on around them, regardless of their age or additional needs. It is important that adults explain what is happening in age appropriate language that they can understand. Here are some resources that might help.
Talking to Children about Coronavirus and Anxiety
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The British Psychological Society: Talking to your Children about Coronavirus:
https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-highlights-importance-talking-children-about-coronavirus - Young Minds: Talking about the Coronavirus:
https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/ - World Health Organisation: Information for Parents and Carers to Share:
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2 - Government guidance on supporting children’s metal health and wellbeing:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak#children-and-young-people-who-are-accessing-mental-health-services - Childmind: Video on how to talk to kids about Coronavirus:
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/ - Mental Health Foundation: Talking to children about scary world news:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/talking-to-your-children-scary-world-news.pdf
Stories and Information about Coronavirus
For younger children
- ELSA: Coronavirus Story for Children:
https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/coronavirus-story-for-children/ - Mindheart: A short story about Coronavirus for young children, aged 7 and under, available in different languages:
https://www.mindheart.co/descargables - Little Puddins Social Story:
https://littlepuddins.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Corona-Virus-Free-Printable-Updated-2-The-Autism-Educator-.pdf - NHS Factsheet –
https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/101/resources/5093
For older children and young adults (with additional needs)
- Carol Gray Social Story about Pandemics and Coronavirus:
https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf - MENCAP: Explaining the Coronavirus:
https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/Info%20about%20covid19%2026th%20March.pdf
Media for children and young people about coronavirus
- Cartoon about Coronavirus
https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/ - World Health Organisations Information video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOV1aBVYKGA&feature=youtu.be
- CBBC Newsround: Coronavirus Video Series: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround#more-stories-2