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Writer's pictureCynthia Toh Xin Ru

How to Talk to Your Child about COVID-19: FREE Resources for Children with and without Special Needs

Updated: Jun 13, 2020


Image credit: unsplash.com


The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought great changes to our everyday lives. In Singapore, we have been under a partial lockdown named Circuit Breaker since 7 April 2020, and it has recently been extended till 1 June 2020. Children’s well-being may be at risk due to the changes in routine, and children with special needs may find things especially challenging. Are you worried about how you can protect your child's mental health? In this first blog post, I thought it would be timely to share some tips and resources on how you can help your child cope while staying home during this Circuit Breaker period.


1. Find out what your child is feeling. You child may be feeling anxious, confused, depressed, and stressed. Such emotions may hurt your child's mental health and well-being. Help your child label his/her emotions, identify the reasons for these emotions, and discuss how to manage these emotions. Reassure your child that he/she is safe and protected.


2. Be open and honest. Your child's imagination may run wild if he/she does not understand the situation. Share accurate but age-appropriate information about the Coronavirus, what your child can expect, and how your child can protect himself from the virus.


3. Establish a routine. Implementing a sense of structure and normalcy is important during this period. Involve your child in planning his/her daily schedule and adjusting his/her physical environment to create conducive circumstances in which your child can complete necessary tasks. Include enriching activities and fun leisure time too.


Are you unsure how to start talking to your child about COVID-19 and the Circuit Breaker? Fret not! I have compiled a list of free ebooks and activity books, social stories, visual schedules, and augmentative and alternative communication boards which can help you spark meaningful conversations with your child about COVID-19 and the Circuit Breaker. You can use these resources to talk to your child about his/her emotions, explain medical terms and scientific facts, as well as review precautionary measures such as the need to stay home and maintain good hygiene. Click the links to download the resources for free!


Ebooks produced in Singapore with a local context:


Ebooks produced overseas:


Social stories for children with special needs:


Visual schedules for children with special needs:

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) boards for children with special needs:


While the Circuit Breaker is a challenging time for all of us, I hope this post can assist you in promoting your child's well-being. Don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe for more tips and free resources in future blog posts. In the meantime, stay home and stay safe!

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