BOISE — With a lot of schools shut down from COVID-19 concerns it can leave kids wondering why school is canceled for an extended period of time? It can also leave parents wondering what they should and shouldn't be telling their kids about this pandemic?
The Boise School District is reminding parents to stay calm and to avoid instilling fear into kids by talking to them directly about COVID-19.
"We've sent out a lot of resources to parents primarily about mental health and how to speak with your children." said Taft Elementary School Counselor, Julie Drews. "But, mostly what we're telling parents to try and stay calm and let the children know that the adults are taking care of them, and that they are safe."
They are urging parents to use this time to empower kids to properly wash their hands, to help them learn how to clean effectively and to help them become more conscious of the distance between them without implying that they need to be afraid.
"That these are preventative measures just like we teach them to wear a helmet when they ride a bike just in case we fall, a seat belt in the car just in case, these are just in case measures, just in case someone gets it we don't want to spread it," said Drews.
Kids can easily pick up on stress and anxiety, so that's what parents should be avoiding. But, instead to use this as a learning opportunity to take the necessary precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19.
"You have to inform kids in an age-appropriate way so if you're anxious and you're upset they are going to pick up on that right away," said Drews. "So staying calm and not going overboard is really going to help them react in an appropriate way without getting too alarmed."
