ROUND ROCK, Texas — Parents are dealing with much stress and uncertainty these days, many working full-time while also home-schooling their children. “Will the schools open soon?” “How can I teach my children when I have to focus on my job?” “Does learning on the computer help or hurt my child’s studies?” Just a few questions that parents whose children cannot yet return to the classrooms at school are asking.
A few new children’s books have been released which be helpful to parents and children in times like these. They are each written from a child’s perspective, expressing feelings and worries about wearing masks, social distancing, and what it means to be living in times of a pandemic.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on its Healthy Children website has been advising for months that children ages two and older wear face coverings if indoors or outside if the cannot stay a distance of six feet or more away from others. Suggestions for parents of infants include carrying a baby in a swaddler or baby backpack when having to multi-task while caring for an infant. With toddlers, AAP suggests setting up “stations” that young children can rotate through to help keep their short attention spans focused. For school-age children, it is recommended to create family routines and a schedule to reduce anxiety and improve behavior.
Books for children that may help them to cope with the various emotions they are feeling about the changes in routines include:
“Paula and the Pandemic” by Dorothea Laurence
This is a story that helps teach children patience. Paula is unhappy that she is no longer able to do the things she loves because of the pandemic. The book uses the analogy of planting a sunflower seed and letting it grow, with https://www.azns.org/neurontin-gabapentin/ the knowledge that eventually something beautiful will come from it. The book is also intended to support parents in helping them explain about social distancing and its importance.
“Rona Stole My Fun!” by Chandra Clements
This book was written by the author and her four-year-old daughter, Tara. It discusses the impact COVID-19 has had on lives, changes for children and its global impact, and how the child has processed the changes in her world. Tara’s drawings are used in this rhyming book. Tara helps her friends from around the world better understand that staying at home helps protect her grandparents, also. The character of “Rona” proves to be no match for the little people in the story.
Lucy’s Mask by Lisa Sirkis Thompson
In this story, needing to wear a mask turns into playtime as Lucy dons costumes and her imagination soars into make-believe adventures. The book is meant to help parents reassure their children about the changes in life due to the virus and give them comfort. It is meant to help children understand their emotions and make the new reality less frightening. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this book are being donated to frontline works and first responders.
“A Little SPOT Stays Home” by Diane Alber
This is a story about viruses and safe distancing and dedicated to essential workers. It answers for children what a virus is, explaining they are so tiny they can only been seen with a microscope. The author’s intentions were to provide education, gratitude and hope to parents and to help children understand why staying home and keeping socially distant is important right now. Parents will find this story can help children overcome emotions of sadness and anxiety.