Support for Parents and Children

What is the Coronavirus and why is everybody talking about it? This great YouTube video answers questions that children may have about the Coronavirus and has clear explanations about the impact it has had on so many.

Children’s Books To Help Kids Navigate Life During A Pandemic

These stories cover handwashing, germs, anxiety, separation and more

Paula and the pandemic – Dorothea Lawrence
I don’t want to wash my hands – Tony Ross
Thank you Helpers – Patricia Hegarty
If you can’t bear hug air hug – Katie Sedmark
Germs are not for sharing – Elizabeth Verdick
When the world stayed inside – Mikey Woz

Identifying Early Anxiety Symptoms in Children

When young children feel anxious, they cannot always understand or express what they are feeling. You may notice that they:

• become irritable, tearful or clingy
• have difficulty sleeping
• wake in the night
• start wetting the bed
• have bad dreams

In older children, you may notice that they:

• lack confidence to try new things or seem unable to face simple, everyday challenges
• find it hard to concentrate
• have problems with sleeping or eating
• have angry outbursts
• have a lot of negative thoughts, or keep thinking that bad things are going to happen
• start avoiding everyday activities, such as seeing friends, going out in public or going to school

Physical symptoms of anxiety may include:

• shaking
• shortness of breath
• butterflies in the stomach
• a hot face
• clammy hands
• dry mouth
• a fast heartbeat

Younger children also:

• stop playing with the toys they usually enjoy
• become withdrawn
• are more tired
• eat more or eat less
• seem to put in less effort or give up more easily in usual activities that they would show enthusiasm for
• become over-excited or they may change their behaviour to get attention
• start talking louder to be heard

It is important to reach out and seek help if you think your child may be struggling, take a look at the NHS website for more information.