COVID-19 is a new illness and everyone, especially children, will find this situation very strange and confusing.  They may express how they are feeling and ...:

• be irritable, grumpy or disruptive
• have problems sleeping
• become teary 
• be clingy or need extra attention
• be quiet or want to spend time alone
• develop fear of strangers or new things
• ask lots of questions
• act younger than their age
• have headaches or stomach ache

There is no right or wrong way to feel about what's going on right now, but how you react is important.

Remember: Your reaction can shape your child's views and feelings. What's important is to be sensitive to and curious about new and confusing emotions.  Provide routine, structure, predictability and be consistent - all this will make your children feel safe and secure in a world that does not appear to offering any of those things.

These pages are based on you family experiences.  As we find them we will put up new resources here.

Age appropriate information - Explaining coronavirus

Too much news can be overwhelming and make it seem like a bad situation is much worse than it is. BBC Newsround has child friendly news coverage - https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51204456

Social stories

Short narratives to help explain social situations that children may have difficulty understanding. 

• What is coronavirus? - https://axelscheffler.com/books-for-older-children/coronavirus

• Helping children who know someone who has coronavirus - https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/someone-i-know-has-coronavirus-story/

• Explaining social distancing - https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/social-contact-story/

• Explaining the return to school - https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/back-to-school-after-coronavirus-story/

• When we can't hug the people we love - https://www.childhood.org.au/app/uploads/2020/04/hug_HR.pdf

• Saying goodbye when someone has died - http://www.hscbereavementnetwork.hscni.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Saying-Goodbye-workbook-for-children-Final-04_20.pdf  (YouTube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnIYObmeAZE)

Supporting your child emotionally

Practical things

• Be available to listen and be ready to answer your child's questions and concerns - they may have lots!  The NSPCC website has lots of useful tips: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/coronavirus-advice-suppport-children-families-parents/

• Have a memory box - this may help to 'contain' the whole coronavirus experience. Use it for art work, news stories, flowers, pictures of friends and family and other keepsakes and memories of this unusual time to rummage through then you are feeling sad or in low mood.

• Keep it as part of a time capsule
• See our Family Support Pages at https://www.thepinesschool.org.uk/parenting-courses/ for Facebook Groups and online resources

Develop emotional support skills

FREE online parenting guides (see our Parenting Courses page) which include top tips from childcare, education and NHS health experts.  The Understanding your child (Zrozumieć swoje dziecko) programme covers emotional wellbeing.

• Register here (or go to www.inourplace.co.uk)
• Apply the access code PARENTING (Access codes are not case sensitive) for FREE access

(These guides are provided by the Solihull Approach and brought to you by Frimley Local Maternity System which is part of Frimley Health and Care Integrated Care System (ICS), a partnership of NHS, health services, local authorities, voluntary sector and local people working to improve health and care services.)

Supporting children with autism

Children with autism may find this time particularly challenging and may benefit from additional support. Visit our information page: 

Keeping mentally and physically healthy

When we have structure and routines and lots of things to do, it means less brain space to worry and develop anxious thoughts and feelings. Having things to do, taking part and having responsibilities around the house for example, helps us feel in control - this is the same for our children. 

• Five simple ways to wellbeing - https://www.thepinesschool.org.uk/5-ways-to-wellbeing/
• Stay positive, keep learning (click picture below to enlarge)
• Healthyminds.org.uk relaxation sessions for children and families (click on picture below to enlarge)
• Make sure you put in place a routine as quickly as possible - see our Routines and Visual Timetables for more information
• Provide a focus where they can set and achieve goals - our Learning at Home pages will be invaluable here - although this can also mean having creative projects or doing age appropriate tasks around the house
• Age appropriate tasks also help a child feel a sense of belonging and ownership.  Ideas can be found online (or just play this video really loudly outside your child's door!)