Some easy steps that parents could take to support their children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Steps that you as a parent can take to support your children

Be supportive. Having a caring and supportive adult present may be able to protect children during and from major stressful life events (Kobor, Odgers, Schmidt, & Vent-Schmidt, 2020). If a child have these supportive adult figures in their life it may serve as a protective factor and help protect children in the long term against the consequences of trauma (Kobor, Odgers, Schmidt, & Vent-Schmidt, 2020). Therefore, taking this into consideration it will be vital to be a present and support parental figure for children during this time especially since they are cut off from their other subsystems of support such as teachers, grandparents, coaches and peers (Geldard & Geldard, 2009; The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family, 2019).

Build and create the opportunities for your children to be a part of things. When a sudden change occurs in a child’s life creating structure by developing a new routine where you can involve your children may be helpful to them (Ellen, 2020). This may help your children feel that they have a sense of control over the situation and it will also help them to understand a bit more during this uncertain time (Ellen, 2020). For example, this can be done in an easy fun way such as getting out some paper and crayons and include them in making a new routine chart with colours and pictures this may help your child not to feel as isolated and they may also feel useful (Ellen, 2020).

Lead by example. When parent show calm and caring behaviour your children may model these behaviours (CDC, 2020). Children watch, learn and pick up on everything within a house hold therefore it is important to monitor your own mental health and your own anxiety because it will have an impact on your children. (Ellen, 2020)

Share the facts. A developmental psychologist , Jean Piaget, states that when children are between the ages of two and seven they are in the “preoperational’ stage of development (Ellen, 2020). This means that the have an understanding of how something can cause an effect within environments that they understand such as in at home. However, they may struggle to understand the cause and effect within situation which are not familiar or if the situation is more complicated or complex (Ellen, 2020). Therefore, your children may be thinking about how they could pick up COVID-19 and if this does happen to them how will they feel, what does it mean to be isolated and so on (CDC, 2020). It may be helpful to explain these things to your child in an age appropriate manner such as how the virus can spread and the things that they can do to prevent this happening like social distancing and frequent handwashing (CDC, 2020).

Add some fun. Even though we are faced with a major challenge is doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Perhaps include some daily exercise, body movement breaks and self-care activities into your child’s routine (Ellen, 2020).

Quality time. Set aside some quality time to spend with your children every day such as reading a book together, preparing dinner together or playing make believe (Makan, 2020).

Monitor your child’s mental and emotional well-being. This time is uncertain and unsettling for everyone and you know your child behaviour well. Pay close attention for worrying changes in their behaviour and monitor these changes (CDC, 2020).

Seek professional help. If you feel you or your child is at high risk and they are not coping seek professional assistance (CDC, 2020). This may involve constantly thinking about self-harm, feeling hopeless and mood or anxiety that is having an major impact on behaviour and functioning which is present for longer than two weeks please seek professional help (Kobor, Odgers, Schmidt, & Vent-Schmidt, 2020).

List of references:

CDC. (2020, July 1). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Coping with Stress. Centres for disease control and prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Department of health Republic of South Africa. (2020). COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal. COVID-19 online resources and news portal: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/

Ellen, B. (2020). COVID-19 Advice from a Family Therapist. Britannica for parents: https://parents.britannica.com/covid-19-advice-from-a-family-therapist/

Geldard, K., & Geldard, D. (2009). Relationship Counselling for Children, Young People and Families. Sage.

Kobor, M. S., Odgers, C., Schmidt, K., & Vent-Schmidt, R. (2020, July 12). The long-term biological effects of COVID-19 stress on kids’ future health and development. Retrieved from The conversation: https://theconversation.com/the-long-term-biological-effects-of-covid-19-stress-on-kids-future-health-and-development-140533

Makan, A. (2020, April 10). COVID-19, Lockdown and your mental health. COVID-19 online resources and new portal: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/2020/04/10/covid-19-lockdown-and-your-mental-health/

Pimentel, S. (2020, June 19). STAY STRONG– Parenting: Managing Both Personal and Family COVID-19 Stress (video). Montefiore Health System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJO5JJBH9Pk&t=137s

Roos, L., & Tomfohr-Madsen, L. (2020, August 16). Family mental health crisis: Parental depression, anxiety during COVID-19 will affect kids too. The conversation: https://theconversation.com/family-mental-health-crisis-parental-depression-anxiety-during-covid-19-will-affect-kids-too-144050

The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. (2019). Eight Concepts. The Bowen Center for the study of the family: http://thebowencenter.org/theory/eight-concepts/

World health organisation. (2020). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. World health organisation: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019