District Provides Tips to Families to Help Children Cope With Coronavirus Anxiety, Stress

The social-emotional learning tips and guidelines help manage anxiety related to COVID-19.

If you’re noticing anxiety in your children these days, you’re not alone. With the mention of COVID-19 (commonly known as coronavirus) filling radio and television news, social media feeds, and our email inboxes, it’s no wonder many are feeling anxious. Between the uncertainty and the real health risks, fear and anxiety are feelings that are both valid and common. The Social-Emotional Learning Department has provided families with a few ideas for managing those feelings. Families can find the tips at the At-Home School site and the Health Alerts page.

Dealing with the uncertainty of the current situation is difficult for everyone. Aldine ISD wants to support in any way it can to support the emotional and social needs of our students and families.

Strategies to Help Children Cope With Stress

• Create and maintain routines. Schedule activities such as schoolwork, physical movement, crafts, and housework throughout the day.
• Be mindful of what children are being exposed to through the internet, television, and personal conversations with others. Too much news coverage feeds anxiety and fear in children. It is recommended that children limit their television viewing, and instead encourage them to play games (e.g., board games), draw, journal, and read books.
• Provide support by being present, remaining calm, and assuring them. Let children know it is okay to be nervous, and that you are there to care for and support them.
• Give children factual, age-appropriate information about the potential risks and appropriate preventive measures that are being undertaken.
• Reassure your children that both school and government officials are working carefully to ensure that everyone stays safe.

Below are links to other resources you may find helpful as you navigate this challenging time.

• How Teachers Are Talking to Students About the Coronavirus (Schwartz, S., EdWeek,  3/3/20)
• How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus (Sperling, J., Harvard Health Publishing, 3/7/20)
• SEL Resources for Parents, Educators & School Communities Related to COVID-19 (Woolf, N., InsideSEL, 3/12/20)
• Preparing for Infectious Disease Epidemics: Brief Tips for School Mental Health Professionals (National Association of School Psychologists,  2020)
• Teaching Remotely for Grades K-12 | Free Resources and Strategies (Scholastic, 2020)
• Making the Most of “Going Virtual” in Response to COVID-19 (Diaz-Torres, C., Vranek, J., Kothari, N., Nakamura, R., Education First, 3/13/20)
• So They’ve Closed the Schools-Now What? (Corrow, C., Center for Collaborative Education, 3/16/20)
• How to Keep the Greater Good in Mind During the Coronavirus Outbreak (Suttie, J., Greater Good Magazine, 3/10/20)  

Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Lorenzo Moore if you have questions or seek additional guidance in this area.