TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of anxiety for many adults, but it has also been hard on a group who may not quite understand all of the details of what’s going on: children.
Capt. Adrianna Harrell, licensed clinical social worker and Tinker Air Force Base Family Advocate officer in charge, said it’s important to pay attention to children’s emotional responses during this time, as they are being affected by the isolation and changes in their schedules.
“Things that trigger emotional responses in children might be different than what triggers emotional responses in adults, but we have to acknowledge that it could also be the same,” Harrell said. “These are big changes they’re undergoing. They’re feeling a loss of freedom. They aren’t able to go to school a lot of times; they aren’t able to engage socially the way they’re used to; their routine is thrown off. For us we think, ‘Oh it’s short term they’re fine,’ but for them this is a whole disruption to their world and system.”
Harrell said it’s also important to be aware of things that could be potentially triggering to a child.
“Is too much TV triggering them? Not enough social contact? How much are they eating? Realizing that there are things that trickle in that we might not see as a big deal, could be,” Harrell said. “Even in the youngest of kiddos, they can pick up on the tension, the anxiety, the changes. They’re mimicking or mirroring our energy. So, maybe they don’t know exactly what’s changed, but they know that mom or dad is a little more stressed out or tense than usual, they’re feeding off of that energy and it’s something that can create panic in them.”
Harrell said it’s important to pay attention to children’s temperament and level of comprehension when explaining COVID-19 to them. The Center for Disease Control has age appropriate guidance that can be found on their websites.
“Our younger kids are perceiving the responses or emotions of their safe adults,” Harrell said. “Three to five-year-olds are typically adjusting to change in the loss even though they have trouble understanding why things are changing or why life is a little different. For our six to-ten year olds, they might have some fear reactions or behave more aggressively or with anger or have some regressive behaviors.”
In regard to adolescents, it’s important to look for emotional changes and whether or not they’re shutting down for time to process or complaining of physical aches and pains, such as a stomach or headache, in lieu of emotional symptoms rather than saying they’re scared.
“Pay attention to how long that distress is lasting. If it’s going beyond a few weeks or if it hits suddenly, pay attention to if your kid needs a little help coping or verbal or emotional reassurance,” Harrell said.
Harrell said it’s also important to normalize these emotional outbursts and let children and adolescents know that it’s okay to express themselves. She also encouraged Airmen or adults to reach out out to other families to offer support to those who may not be accustomed to providing their children with breakfast and lunch every day now that school is out.
“Every kid deserves to eat well and have consistency in their routine,” Harrell said.
Harrell also said It’s also important to keep children’s brains active and occupied.
“Engaging in activities at home like art projects, going for walks, family yoga, things that in an ever-stimulated environment, keep their brains engaged but we also teach their brains and bodies to relax amidst chaos,” Harrell said.
To listen to the full conversation with Harrell about talking to children about COVID-19 and the mental health effects the virus has had, visit the Tinker Talks podcast at https://www.dvidshub.net/audio/63282/tinker-talks-covid.