For many, it has felt as though the COVID-19 pandemic is never-ending. Many kids have been learning from home – or at least partially from home – since March 2020. As students head back into school for the 2021 school year and vaccines have become available for kids as young as 12, it’s time to start preparing kids for life after COVID-19 reopenings and talking as a family about what this transition will look like.
As our communities open up again, it’s going to be an adjustment for parents and children. Some children may easily transition back with excitement, and others may feel uneasy, anxious, or even worried. Here are some suggestions to help your child if they are feeling worried about the change.
Tips to Prepare Kids for Life After COVID-19 Reopenings
1. Prepare for the change by taking it out or playing it out.
Depending on how old your child is, you can talk about the vaccine and what that means about visiting friends or family. You may ask questions such as, “Are you feeling excited or worried about the change?” If they are feeling worried, you might help them find the words to appropriately express themselves by asking, “How big is your worry monster?” For younger children, I suggest you play it out with them. Use their favorite toys and go on an adventure. This is especially good for children around 3 and older as their imagination really beings to develop. If they are concerned, they may show it in their play. If your child likes to draw or color, an art project might be a good way to share their ideas and feelings. This is a fun and simple way to help kids envision and prepare for life after COVID-19 reopenings.
2. Normalize their feelings, especially if they are feeling worried.
You can share with your child that “sometimes nervous feelings (like a heart beating, sweating, or belly flops) can help us prepare for a challenge or show us our body is excited. It’s not dangerous.” Avoid being dismissive of your child’s feelings such as saying, “Don’t feel worried, there is nothing to be worried about.” This can signal to your child that something is wrong with them because they are feeling worried. Explaining that it’s normal to feel a bit weird or uneasy about life after COVID-19 reopenings can help your child feel less alone, and more able to discuss and process their feelings.
3. Break it down into smaller steps.
If your child feels uncomfortable about a situation, break it down into smaller steps so you set them up for success. Allowing for a gradual change will ease anxiety. For example, it’s likely we will be spending more time outside of the house, so choose a spot where you can visit frequently and slowly increase the duration of time you spend in that location. This can be a park or a trusted friend/family’s home.
If the new school year is causing your child to feel anxious, walk through exactly what school will look like as we adjust to life after COVID-19 reopenings. Discuss your school’s masking policy and your family’s plan for masking, as well as other health and safety measures like social distancing and hand washing. Helping your child understand exactly what they’ll be facing when they return to the classroom could help them prepare for life after COVID-19 reopenings.
4. Teach and model adaptive coping skills.
Coping skills don’t need to be fancy or take a lot of time. Using positive self-talk, mindful breathing, or grounding exercises, and guided imagery are quick and easy to teach. My go-to visual for teaching breathing exercises is the colorful expandable magic ball. This ball expands as you inhale and deflates as you exhale. It’s perfect for toddlers age 2 and older. Practice early, and practice often.
Preparing As a Family for Life After COVID-19 Reopenings
Change can be challenging for most people. Taking a nice, easy, gradual approach with lots of understanding and support will set everyone up for success.
It’s also important to remember that it’s ok to go at your own pace when it comes to getting back to “normal” life after COVID-19 reopenings. Everyone will have their own health situations and own level of comfort when it comes to activities that used to be commonplace before the pandemic. There’s no reason to rush yourself or your kids if you’re concerned about conditions in your community.
But, if you’re ready to get back out there and return to school and your community, then these tips can help you and your kids prepare for life after COVID-19 reopenings with less anxiety.
Need more support to manage the transition? Contact me to discuss my California child and family therapy services or explore my online courses and free resources available through my Thriving Toddler company.