Helping Children in Stressful Times

Fred Rogers Productions and Alabama Public Television would like to share some tips from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on how families, parents and caregivers can relieve children’s insecurities and fears during these stressful and challenging times.

Provide safe ways for children to express their feelings, such as drawing or telling stories.

Listen carefully to what your children are talking about. Acknowledge their feelings. Give them the words to describe how they feel such as, “It sounds like you’re feeling ‘scared,’ ‘unsure about what’s going to happen next,’ ‘sad,’ ‘angry.’

Remember to be calm and understanding when children are being clingy, whiny, or over active. Helping them regain control of their feelings reassures them that you are keeping them safe.

Keep routines as familiar as possible.

Minimize children’s exposure to media coverage.

The links below offer information about ways to stay healthy during times of illness and also to help young children navigate new things:

VIDEO: Germs Germs Go Away Handwashing

VIDEO: A Germ Fighting Superhero

ACTIVITY PAGE: Draw Your Feelings

ARTICLE: How to Prepare Children for Unexpected Events

GAME: Doctor Daniel

Also Related:

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS