There’s a ton of information out there on ways to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, how to talk to your kids about the virus, and ways to stay healthy at home during shelter-in-place. Here, we are going to share with you some tips and tricks we found in our hunt to be important takeaways.
Talking to Your Kids About COVID-19
This conversation can be intimidating to have for parents, especially if the topic brings up feelings of anxiousness or if there is uncertainty about what information is correct. Here are CDC’s general principles that will help guide you through the conversation:
- Approach the topic with a calm demeanor; Practice patience while listening and as you’re helping them understand.
- Find out how much your child already knows. Most likely they have already heard about the Coronavirus from other sources, start by hearing them out.
- Use credible sources when doing research to make sure you have the correct facts, limiting confusion. The best credible sources are www.CDC.gov and www.WHO.int
- Avoid language that puts blame on others; Help stop stigma by knowing the facts and educating others, we are all in this together.
- Teach them the best ways to reduce the spread and to staying healthy (found below).
- Limit screentime about Coronavirus. An overload of any information can be overwhelming, and surrounding this topic may increase anxiety.
Top Ways to Stay Healthy
Keeping these practices in your daily routine help prevent yourself and your loved ones from contracting the virus:
- Stay 6 ft. apart from others, especially in public areas or when near someone that is sick. Droplets containing the virus are spread onto others within this distance, through coughing or sneezing.
- Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze. This reduces the chance of spread from one person to other nearby objects or people.
- Wash your hands for 2x Happy Birthday songs (20 sec). Do this after coughing, sneezing, and touching your face. Also do this after being in public areas or touching public surfaces.
- Try to avoid touching your face all together.
- Make sure to eat the rainbow; Colors tell us that the veggies and fruit are heavily nutrient dense, which means they are great for boosting immune health!
- Get your body moving! This is especially important to remember while shelter-in-place is in effect.
- Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
- And of course, we encourage you to take a walk outside and get some fresh air. Take in a deep breath & reconnect with the ground below your feet.
During these strange times, as we all move and shift in our own ways to make the best of what’s going on in the world, remember that we are all in this together. We may not be able to literally lend our hand, but we can still be there for others..you know, in a physically distant way.
Spread love, not germs!
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Stay tuned for our next blog!