Blog Post

How to talk to your child about COVID-19

Boys & Girls Clubs • April 28, 2020

Kids thrive on emotional connections and predictable routines, so while some kids may be enjoying the time away from school, many may be confused and struggling to understand what has happened to the world as they know it. Remember, in times of uncertainty, it is very important to reassure the young people in your life and thoughtfully talk to them about what is going on.

Here are some tips to help kids manage the anxiety & stress around Coronavirus:

  1. Be open to answering questions. Kids may ask why this happened and seek to understand the impact on their life. You do not have to have all the answers, but encouraging kids to express their feelings and being open and honest will continue to instill their trust.

  2. Don’t project your own fears. It is natural to feel vulnerable and scared, but it’s important not to overwhelm kids with emotions and to remain calm and in control. Kids will often take emotional cues from adults. If trusted adults appear to be nervous or scared they will too.

  3. News of Coronavirus is everywhere so manage the flow of information . Try to avoid having TV’s on stations that continue to report the event, and monitor your child’s intake of information on social media. Don’t minimize the event, but try to avoid over exposure to media reports.

  4. Remind kids that they have trustworthy and supportive adults in their lives who are still working to keep them safe. Accepting their feelings and communicating with them will demonstrate that you are there.

  5. Restore hope in the future. Regain faith in the future by planning a small activity that will take place in the future so they have something with which to look forward.

Remember, coping with stress will make you, the young people you care about, and your community stronger.

By Sally Altobelli March 14, 2025
A Week of Fruitful Advocacy on Capitol Hill!
By Sally Altobelli February 14, 2025
Help Local Kids Thrive by Donating at the Register
By Sally Altobelli January 10, 2025
Celebrating the Impact of Mentorship and Building a Brighter Future Together
By Sally Altobelli November 15, 2024
Exciting VR Experiences Arrive to the Teen Tech Center!
October 11, 2024
Spooky Season Has Arrived at AVBGC Sites 
By Sally Altobelli September 5, 2024
Join us on September 26th as we open our newest facility!
By Jessica Gaspar August 9, 2021
Sending kids back to school with the tools they need to succeed.
By Jessica Gaspar April 7, 2021
Helping Club kids with the power of music.
By Jessica Gaspar January 27, 2021
Making the Socially Distanced Holidays Bright!
November 25, 2020
The holiday season has arrived and like always, we take time to pause and reflect on this year. Well, this has certainly been a year full of challenges, but there is much to celebrate and be grateful for. This year, many organizations have had to rethink and reimagine the way we provide our services. We have made changes and adapted in ways we would have never thought possible. That is something to celebrate. Traditionally, the Club is a facility based program, but through innovation and perseverance we have been able to reach the youth who need us most...even in the midst of a health emergency. Through our Club in a Box Home Activity Kit, we have reached over 3,000 youth in Antelope Valley and provided them with hands-on, screen-free, outcome driven activities that foster critical thinking and imagination. We are grateful for the commitment of our partners, The Morningstar Foundation, California Water District, Palmdale School District and many more that make this possible. We are grateful for our partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, which during non-pandemic times provide us with meals for our afterschool program. Within week one of the pandemic they quickly pivoted and entrusted us to distribute over 2 million pounds of food right here in the Antelope Valley community. This partnership has impacted thousands of families in the Antelope Valley and continues to provide food to those most impacted by COVID restrictions. We are thankful for our grantors, local businesses, and the countless individuals that continue their support of the Club mission. This year's golf fundraiser was looking like it was going to be cancelled, but a few individuals championed the cause and created a pandemic proof event. The result was an astonishing $40,000 raised for critical youth programs . Thank you, Mike Johnson, Dr. Ric Garrison, and the AVBGC Board for finding unprecedented ways to enrich the lives of our local youth. Enabling all youth, especially those that need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens is the mission the AV Boys & Girls Club staff strive for every day they walk through our doors. We are grateful to our staff who work tireless everyday to help kids create brighter futures. Finally, we are grateful for our Club parents who trust us with the health and safety of their children, and our Club kids who make everything worthwhile! We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, we are grateful for YOU, and look forward to the days we can all be together again. Sincerely, Stacey Cantwell Jay Duke Executive Director Chief Professional Officer
More Posts
Share by: