Supporting children and youth through COVID-19

Cyndi Neumyer, Senior Health Outcomes Consultant, Capital Blue Cross

Helpful tips

Keep your family’s schedule consistent when it comes to 
bedtimes, meals, and exercise.

Make time to do things at home that have made you and your family feel better in other stressful situations.

Such as:
  • reading
  • watching movies
  • listening to music
  • playing games
  • exercising
  • engaging in religious activities (prayer, participating in services on the internet)

Find ways to encourage proper hygiene and other health promoting behavior with your children.

Examples of this could include:
  • creating drawings to remember family routines
  • singing a song for length needed to wash hands like the A-B-C or Happy Birthday song, twice
  • including them in household jobs or activities so they feel a sense of accomplishment
  • providing praise and encouragement for engaging in household jobs and good hygiene
Holding hands

Although it is necessary to stay informed, it is also important to minimize exposure to media outlets or social media that might promote fear or panic.

Be particularly aware of (and limit) how much media coverage or social media time your children are exposed to regarding the pandemic. Email and texting may be the best ways to stay in contact with others during an outbreak, as the Internet may have the most sensational media coverage and may be spreading rumors. Check in regularly with your children about what they have viewed on the Internet and clarify any misinformation.

Supporting children

Focus on supporting children by encouraging questions and helping them understand the current situation.

  • Talk about their feelings and validate these.
  • Help them express their feelings through drawing or other activities.
  • Clarify misinformation or misunderstandings about how the virus is spread and that not every respiratory disease is COVID-19.
  • Provide comfort and a bit of extra patience.
  • Check back in with your children on a regular basis or when the situation changes.

The information provided is meant for a general audience. It is not a substitute for services or advice received from your health care providers who are the only ones that can diagnose and treat your individual medical conditions. Capital Blue Cross and its affiliated companies believe this health education resource provides useful information but do not assume any liability associated with its use. If you have any questions about the information, please contact your health care provider. Individual coverage for any services that may be discussed in this resource depends on your benefits plan. To determine coverage for any health care service, please refer to your Certificate of Coverage or Evidence of Coverage or call Member Services at the toll-free number on your member ID card.