The novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, is affecting our daily life, as governments take necessary steps to manage the pandemic, reduce transmission and treat those who need medical attention.

According to experts, regardless of their age, this may be a difficult time for children and young people. Some may react immediately, while others may show signs of difficulty later. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that how a child or young person reacts can vary according to their age, how they understand information and communicate, their previous experiences, and how they typically cope with stress. Adverse reactions may include thinking about their health or that of family and friends, fear, avoidance, problems sleeping, or physical symptoms such as stomach ache.

During this time, it’s important that you support and take care of your family’s wellbeing, there are lots of things you can do, and additional support from Weqaya, UAE national and local authorities is available if you need it. So how can we help our children during this time of change and uncertainty? Here’s what professionals and parenting experts have to say about what they’ve been seeing and how you, as parent, can help.

Prevention

UNICEF suggests to watch your child for any signs of illness. If you see any sign of illness consistent with symptoms of COVID-19, particularly fever, cough, or shortness of breath, seek medical attention, but remember that symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or fever can be similar to those of the flu, or the common cold, which are a lot more frequent. Consider calling ahead to tell your health care provider if you have traveled to an area where COVID-19 has been reported, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has traveled from one of these areas and has respiratory symptoms.

Continue to follow good hand and respiratory hygiene practices like regular handwashing, and keep your child up to date with vaccinations, so that your child is protected against other viruses and bacteria causing diseases.

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, ECA, confirms that now more than ever, washing hands thoroughly with soap at frequent intervals is very important. During every wash, ECA suggests that children should wash each finger, rinse well and dry off their hands properly. A good way to ensure all they wash thoroughly is by making them count to 20 or teaching them a 20-second-long song.

The Abu Dhabi Authority explains that to help your children understand the essentiality of this, you can conduct a fun experiment at home to illustrate how soap kills germs: put some glitter in a bowl of water and let your child swish their hands in the water. Instruct them to rinse the glitter off with water only and show that a lot of the glitter will remain. Then, ask them to wash their hands using soap and see for themselves, the glitter wash away, demonstrating how germs stick to hands and a thorough wash with soap removes them.

Children will observe adults’ behaviors and emotions for cues on how to manage their own emotions during difficult times. Be a good role model, if you wash your hands often, they’re more likely to do the same.

Children may have mild symptoms

Based on latest WHO information, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally shown mild symptoms. Reported symptoms in children include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported.

Watch for signs of stress in your child

Some common changes to watch for include excessive worry or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, and difficulty with attention and concentration. WHO recommends to help children find positive ways to express feelings such as fear and sadness. Sometimes engaging in a creative activity, such as playing or drawing can facilitate this process. Children feel relieved if they can express and communicate their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.

According to WHO latest information, keep children close to their parents and family, if considered safe, and avoid separating children and their careers as much as possible. If a child needs to be separated from his or her primary carer, ensure that appropriate alternative care is provided and that a social worker or equivalent will regularly follow up on the child. Further, ensure that during periods of separation, regular contact with parents and carers is maintained, such as twice-daily scheduled telephone or video calls or other age-appropriate communication such as social media.

During times of stress and crisis, it is common for children to seek more attachment and be more demanding on parents. Abu Dhabi ECA affirms that encourage communication skills is another positive practice to reinforce during this period. Children are extremely perceptive and often listen to adults when they speak. With so many digital mediums available, children have access to news and information regarding the happenings of our society, both local and worldwide.

That’s why, parents should always serve as the primary source of information to prevent them from using unreliable sources. It is common to pacify children by telling them everything is okay, however, the best way to reassure them is to be truthful and make it known that you are available to discuss and comfort them as needed.

Always keep in mind that each child is different. Some children may show limited awareness to lifestyle changes while others may require more attention and nurturing. ECA stress there is no ‘normal’ response to an abnormal situation. Listen to the child’s concerns and watch body language in the case of an infant, letting them know that you are there to keep them safe and protected.

As many young children will be unable to understand the meaning of a pandemic, speaking to them in a language they can understand and answering questions they may have it crucial. It is important to keep children informed by sharing relevant and age appropriate information, taking into consideration the age and developmental status of the child. By conversing, the skills you are indirectly teaching them is to remain observant, ask questions, communicate their feelings and ultimately, to be problem solvers.

Some do’s and don’ts for how to talk about the Coronavirus with your children

It’s understandable if you’re feeling worried about the Coronavirus. But fear and stigma make a difficult situation worse. For example, there are reports emerging from around the world of individuals, particularly of Asian descent, being subject to verbal or even physical abuse.

Public health emergencies are stressful times for everyone affected. It’s important to stay informed and to be kind and supportive to each other. Words matter, and using language that perpetuates existing stereotypes can drive people away from getting tested and taking the actions they need to protect themselves and their communities.

WHO suggests to DON’T attach locations or ethnicity to the disease. Remember, viruses can’t target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds. Take in mind to talk about “people who have COVID-19”, “people who are being treated for COVID-19”, “people who are recovering from COVID-19” or “people who died after contracting COVID-19”.

DON’T refer to people with the disease as “COVID-19 cases” or “victims”, but talk about people “acquiring” or “contracting” COVID-19. It’s important to DON’T talk about people “transmitting COVID-19” “infecting others” or “spreading the virus” as it implies intentional transmission and assigns blame, you should speak accurately about the risk from COVID-19, based on scientific data and latest official health advice.

DON’T repeat or share unconfirmed rumors, and avoid using hyperbolic language designed to generate fear like “plague”, “apocalypse” etc. Talk positively and emphasize the importance of effective prevention measures, including following ECA tips on handwashing. For most people this is a disease they can overcome. There are simple steps we can all take to keep ourselves, our loved ones and the most vulnerable safe.

Keep your child active

Experts suggest to maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible, or create new routines, especially if children must stay at home. Provide engaging age-appropriate activities for children, including activities for their learning. Where possible, encourage children to continue to play and socialize with others, even if only within the family when advised to restrict social contact.

UNICEF also offers some tips for parents during the current pandemic as to use indoor activity breaks (like stretch breaks or dance breaks) throughout the day to help your child stay healthy and focused. Help your child stay socially connected, reach out to friends and family via phone or video chats and write cards or letters to family members they may not be able to visit.

Mental Health experts suggest to create a flexible schedule and routine for learning at home; have consistent bedtimes and get up at the same time, Monday through Friday; structure the day for learning, free time, healthy meals and snacks, and physical activity. Allow flexibility in the schedule, it’s okay to adapt based on your day. Consider the needs and adjustment required for your child’s age group.

The transition to being at home will be different for pre-schoolers, middle school students, and high school students. Talk to your child about expectations and how they are adjusting to being at home versus at school.

Help children continue learning

Most of the schools in the UAE are offering lessons online or virtual learning. UNICEF advise to keep in touch with your schools, review assignments from the teachers, and help your child establish a reasonable pace for completing the work. You may need to assist your child with turning on devices, reading instructions, and typing answers.

Communicate challenges to your school. If you face technology or connectivity issues, or if your child is having a hard time completing assignments, let the school know. Look for ways to make learning fun. Have hands-on activities, like puzzles, painting, drawing, and making things.

Independent play can also be used in place of structured learning. Encourage children to build a fort from sheets or practice counting by stacking blocks. Practice handwriting and grammar by writing letters to family members. Start a journal with your child to document this time and discuss the shared experience. Use audiobooks or see if your local library is hosting virtual or live-streamed reading events. Take in mind that most of attractions in the UAE, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, offer virtual tour and documentaries online.

Tips for pregnant mothers

According to WHO latest reports, there is not enough evidence to determine whether the virus is transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, or the potential impact this may have on the baby. This is currently being investigated.

Pregnant women should continue to follow appropriate precautions to protect themselves from exposure to the virus, and seek medical care early, if experiencing symptoms, such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing. WHO suggests that all mothers who have symptoms of fever, cough or difficulty breathing, should seek medical care early, and follow instructions from a doctor.

Breastfeeding

According to WHO, considering the benefits of breastfeeding and the insignificant role of breastmilk in the transmission of other respiratory viruses, the mother can continue breastfeeding, while applying all the necessary precautions.

For symptomatic mothers well enough to breastfeed, this includes wearing a mask when near a child including during feeding, washing hands before and after contact with the child, and cleaning/disinfecting contaminated surfaces – as should be done in all cases where anyone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 interacts with others, including children. 

If a mother is too ill, she should be encouraged to express milk and give it to the child via a clean cup and/or spoon, all while following the same infection prevention methods.

These advices are regularly updated based on new scientific findings as the epidemic evolves. Last updated 27 April 2020. Sources: Weqaya, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), WHO, UNICEF and CDC.