5 Ways to Help Kids Understand Social Distancing 1.
Be honest with kids about COVID-19, but make sure you’re only providing age-appropriate details.
The CDC recommends explaining that COVID-19 is a “new virus” that’s “made a lot of people sick,” but that doctors are working hard to “help people stay healthy.” 2.
Make mask-wearing and avoiding germs into a game, as children are more likely to participate in something if it seems “fun.” 3.
Work with your children to make a themed mask that they’ll willingly want to wear.
This will help make mask-wearing feel less like a bothersome task and more like a fun dress-up game.
4.
Motivate them by offering praise or a reward for their willingness to participate and listen.
This will help reinforce the idea that following social distancing rules is considered “good behavior.” 5.
Psychologists recommend modeling empathy with children by explaining to them that social distancing is about protecting other people.
By widening their “circle of concern,” children will be more willing to listen and think outside of their own problems.
