Coronavirus: Tips & Advice from our Therapeutic Team
We are incredibly proud of the fantastic therapeutic team we have here at Fostering Rotherham. You can read our blog to find out a bit more about what they do. We asked the team to give us some of their best tips and advice for children who might be worried or anxious during this time.
As a safe adult/ carer/ parent figure, you are the centre of your child’s world. They will take all their reference points from you, so first of all, you need to feel in control of your own worries. Informing yourself from reliable sources can help you scale risks and add perspective. Here are some fact checking sources for adults and risk minimisation advice.
Keeping to usual routines as far as possible will give all aged children the message that adults are still in control, the current situation is only “for now”, and we will all get through this. Reassure children and emphasise what helps us stay safe.
If you are at home with school age children, find some things that they can have choices over. When choice is taken away, it can be helpful to give some of that back, even if it needs to be artificially created. For example, try setting up a ‘tuck shop’ where the child can ‘purchase’ snacks throughout the day. If you set healthy food as cheaper and give a daily spending limit, children can learn about money and making healthy choices too.
Do monitor and limit screen time when indoors lots. Most phones/ tablets have ‘downtime’ and ‘app limits’ that can be set via the settings section. Having a ‘phones downstairs at night time’ rule means that your child will also have bed time away from the often heightened environment of social media, and Covid-19 worries are not being placed directly into their safe space.
Don’t stop cuddles or limit touch. All children who you live with, (but especially young ones), will need your physical touch and presence. There are some great Theraplay games that allow children to feel connected and allow you both to share some fun.
Talk openly, honestly and factually to children about Covid-19 in language they will understand. Avoiding talking about it can give the sense that it is too scary to discuss. You can read our blog on talking to your children about it here.
Stay playful and be creative if the child needs to talk about worries. For example, you could make a 'worry box'. Your child can write each worry down and post it in the box out of sight. Children will enjoy decorating the box too. Acknowledge that anxiety is a normal feeling, and Covid 19 IS worrying, but we can feel anxious feelings and they will pass.
Staying in the moment with a child who is feeling anxious is often helpful. This is often called ‘Mindfulness’ or ‘grounding’ and there’s lots of activities that can be used. One example is ‘5,4,3,2,1’ Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, and 1 big deep slow breath. Offering a cold drink or something chewy and focussing on body sensations also has a calming and grounding effect. If you need some guidance, you can find some breathing exercises on Youtube.
