Talk to your child.  Explain what you know 
to be true, while reassuring them that you 
are doing everything you can to keep them
safe and healthy.

Limit media coverage

Ask questions, and ask your child to explain
what they believe is going on.  They may have theories or perceptions that need
to be clarified or addressed.

Try to continue home routines, especially
at bedtime.  If school continues to be
impacted after spring break, and/or
vacation plans have changed, explain that
these are the decisions that adults have
made to keep all of us healthy.  It does not
mean that all the people around them are sick.

Children this age are concerned about their own health, and those around them.  They may be worried about grandparents or older neighbours and need clarification around the facts.

Children will probably experience varying levels of anxiety that can present as flight (avoidance, hiding, withdrawl), fight (anger, irritability), or freeze (zoning out, distracted) and it is important to acknowledge these behaviours as coping strategies and be patient (even while our own anxieties may be heightened).

If fear persists, point out all the things that adults are doing to prevent the virus from spreading.  Children like to be helpful, so teaching them how to wash hands well or do other tasks can help them cope.

Talk to your middle school children and answer any questions.  This will help you determine how much they know and may help you correct any misinformation.

Talk to your youth about what they see and read on media and discus which sources are reliable and which aren't.  Support your child in identifying positive media stories that focus on recovery and resiliency.

It is important to acknowledge that events like this can lead to stereotyping and discrimination.  It is important to discuss and confront these perceptions.

Middle school aged students will be more interested in the future.  Be sure to stick to the facts and not burden them with your own fears.

Middle School aged students are becoming more and more peer referenced.  Ask them how their friends are feeling - this may give insight into their own worries. 

Help guide your child's worry into things they can do - like learning how to prevent the spread of the virus, and how to reach out (non physically) to people who may be feeling more isolated, like grandparents.

As with elementary children, your youth will probably experience varying levels of anxiety that can present as flight (avoidance, hiding, withdrawl), fight (anger, irritability), or freeze (zoning out, distracted) and it is important to acknowledge these behaviours as coping strategies and be patient (even while our own anxieties may be heightened).

Connect your child to one of the following resources to provide age appropriate information:
"Understanding Corona Virus and How Germs Spread":  Brains On Podcast (plus a kid-centered series on news literacy called "prove it".
"Just for Kids:  A comic exploring the new coronavirus":  Minnesota Public Radio