Talking about COVID-19

Silence and secrets do not protect our children. Honesty and openness do

Be open and listen

• Invite children to talk freely about the issue.Ask them open questions
  
  
• Listen attentively when children share their feelings.
  
  
• Assure them that it is natural to feel anxious

Be honest

• Always answer their questions truthfully, using age-appropriate language
  
  
• It is OK not to know the answers. Use it as an opportunity to find out theanswers together
  
  
• Remind children to fact-check online information and get informed from reliablesources

Say‘No’ to discrimination

• Explain that COVID-19 has nothing to dowith what one looks like, where they are from orwhat language they speak
  
  
• Teach children to be kind and caring to others in need
  
  

Share positive messages

• Share positive stories of people who are caring for sick people, working hard tostop the outbreak

End on a good note

• Pay attention to children’s reactions during the talk and let them know that theycan talk to you again whenever they like
  
  
• Then do something fun together
  
  

April 2020
Student Health Service, Department of Health