How to Calmly Explain the Coronavirus to Your Kids

Dr. Jill Emanuele, senior director of Child Mind Institute, says that parents should be aware that their kids are not immune to the misinformation swirling around about the coronavirus. This is crucial to address because children are more vulnerable to attaching themselves to any idea that captivates their attention. “It’s essential that you, as the informed parent, assert yourself as the deliverer of information,” she says. “If you try to ignore it or assume you’re protecting them by acting like everything is fine, that doesn’t always work because they may still be getting information elsewhere.” Next, get clear about what they already know… or think they know. Then calmly explore the trajectory of material they reveal to you.