Adjusting to this new way of life has been a continuous uphill battle. But – as we always have, we’ll find a way to overcome it. A major topic of both discussion and concern revolves around the impacts that the pandemic will have on different age groups - particularly children.
Medical experts across the board seem to agree that children are not at a higher risk than adults for coronavirus. Even when we’re faced with the latest data and statistics from the world’s leading medical experts, it’s hard for us not to worry. We’re mothers and fathers, grandmas and grandpas, brothers and sisters – it’s our job to take care of them!
We’re no different at MediViCo. We understand that being a parent or caregiver is a fulltime job within itself. So, while you’re doing your best to be the parent, at-home teacher and superstar employee, keep these tips in mind to help keep your children safe and healthy during the coronavirus.
Helping Your Child Stay Safe & Healthy
From the day they’re born, we’re always looking for ways to make their lives easier and happier. Whether that be cooking a favorite meal, reading them a story, or getting them involved with other kids in the neighborhood – seeing our kids enjoy life makes ours a bit more enjoyable as well. All of that has unfortunately been turned upside down by the coronavirus, and ever since has been rocking our world. The good news is there are some ways to make the most out of the current situation.
Even with many events, organizations, and businesses shutting down to COVID-19, it’s still possible to keep your child active! If one thing can’t be closed down, it’s the great outdoors. Simply encouraging your child to play outside – even if it’s just your backyard – is great for their physical and mental health. Social distancing might stop them from being able to play with their friends, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t join in on the fun either. Going for a walk or a bike ride with your children is a great way to bond together and spend some time outside! Another fun tip – try spicing up your daily routine with dance breaks between your meetings and their school lessons!
As a parent, or simply as someone who is old enough to be reading this, children look up to you for both guidance and reassurance. Whether you realize it or not, it’s true – and you have the power to teach children just how important proper hygiene is. Explaining to children that by washing their hands they could be saving people’s lives and stopping the spread of the coronavirus could be all it takes! For younger children you can even make it fun by making a hand-washing song or telling them that washing their hands is their superpower.
Earlier we told you that social distancing might put an end to your child having fun with their friends. But, it actually is still possible for your child to connect with their friends – virtually! Reaching out to friends and family whether by phone or a video call is a great way to help your child stay socially active. Looking to get a bit more personal than just a phone call? Letters or hand-drawn cards are a great way to do so! You can also find some schools and non-profits such as the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning or the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence that provide e-resources for children on social and emotional well-being.
Know The Symptoms
Caring for your child’s physical and mental wellbeing is powerful, but it needs to be combined with providing the correct care in case your child falls sick. And the first step in preparing for that is knowing the symptoms.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published all the information you may need regarding coronavirus. But if you’re looking for the key takeaways, here are some common symptoms you should keep an eye out for in your children:
· Fever or chills
· Cough
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
· Sore throat
· Congestion or runny nose
If your child starts showing any of these symptoms, check with your doctor as soon as possible. The CDC recommends that people who fall ill to COVID-19 should stay at home and rest. When your child is sick, the best way to take care of them is to keep them well-rested and properly hydrated. Over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen can help your child to feel a bit better as well.
Personal Protective Equipment for Children
For the times that you do want to venture out of your household with your young ones, the best way to keep yourself – and them – safe is by wearing personal protective equipment. For kids, they might not necessarily understand why they have to wear masks and use sanitizer so often. It’s our job to explain to them just why!
Helping them understand that wearing a mask helps keep them and others safe is the goal here. And as mentioned before, use your creativity to make it fun for them! You can do this by turning your personal protective equipment into a fun arts and crafts project by decorating them or turning why they have to wear it into a fun story about them saving the world and defeating the novel coronavirus! If you’ve gotten your child to understand that wearing their personal protective equipment doesn’t take away their freedom and fun – then you know you’ve succeeded. There’s even personal protective equipment out there specifically for children!
Making sure that our children are safe and healthy is our number one priority. You can make these uncertain times a bit easier for them by helping them stay active, being knowledgeable about the symptoms of coronavirus and by combining education and proper hygiene with fun activities! There’s a lot going on around us right now, but that doesn’t mean we have to go through it alone. Feel free to share this article with your friends, school board, or anyone else you might think will find it useful. We hope these tips help keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy!