I appreciate that this is not the most important thing in the world but thought I would ask as I am sure this is something other parents are having to deal with. Just how do you explain what is going on to a six year old?
I am currently staying at home with the children as my wife is classed as a keyworker (she works with children with special needs in a school). I am keeping the youngest busy with a mix of creative time, play time and learning time. He had been given letters to bring home from school on an almost daily basis up until Friday when the school closed and has had various assemblies on the subject of the Coronavirus so is aware that something is going on.
We are now effectively on lockdown which means he probably won't leave the house for the foreseeable future. His Grandad, who is in his seventies, is pretty much his best pal and sees him twice a week. This is obviously now not possible and I am worried about my dad as he lives alone.
So how do you explain to a six year old that he won't be seeing his grandad for a while? Why he can't go to the park? Why we all have to stay indoors? Why he can't have certain foods because people have bought all the tomato passata?
I doth my cap to all the heroes out there who continue to work hard to help us through this. Stay safe everyone.
Best wishes.
Explaining Coronavirus to a six year old
posted on 24/3/20
My missus is a key worker and my work isn't shutting down so my 8 year old can and will have to go into his Primary school some days. We sent him in yesterday and there was nobody there from his year and only 7 kids in total (out of the usual 450). He took it on the chin but obviously found it very odd. Luckily he's pretty sociable and will make friends easily with kids of all ages but he did miss his regular mates.
He's not in today as I'm home but we have to send him tomorrow. His grandparents often help out with school pick ups so their absence has had to be explained and so far he's ok about it but its early days.
posted on 24/3/20
I had more trouble explaining it to my elderly parents than I did to my 8 year old daughter to be honest.
posted on 24/3/20
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 28 minutes ago
"Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank"
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Cheeky ba$tard
posted on 24/3/20
Just tell them the truth and in as easier use of language as possible. Let them ask any questions. They might ask what is a virus. Just explain the best you can. When they don't understand a word either explain what that word means or use a different word (or sentence).
It's best to be open and honest.
posted on 24/3/20
Imagine telling them that Liverpool have won the title
posted on 24/3/20
My 5 and 4 yrd old have a million questions.
My missus and I are both working from home.
Its been a tough week adjusting. They know there's a virus and they've been telling my wife and I off every time we cough or sneeze and use our hands. They gesture to show how to cough into our elbows.
Kids are resilient. Though i do wonder what they will be like in 6mths time when they have to return to school.
The 4yr old starts in reception and so getting him back into a routine will be hard. The 5yr old not so much.
More importantly, they're home, we all are and are safe.
posted on 24/3/20
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 28 minutes ago
"Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank"
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Cheeky ba$tard
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Howareya Manfrom?
posted on 24/3/20
"Explaining Coronavirus to a six year old"
Is that what the experts said about explaining it to Boris?
posted on 24/3/20
Explaining to a 5 year old that if Dad catches it, with his compromised immune system then he will not be very well is just as difficult.
And that we will be at home together for 12 weeks.
posted on 24/3/20
Thank you for the comments guys. It's obviously a difficult time for us all. I work with children at risk of sexual exploitation and I do agree that children can be very resilient. We work so hard to protect our own from the horrors of this world but in this case honesty seems to be working. An internet forum can provide priceless support. Stay safe everyone.