HELPING A CHILD...
www.icenimagazine.co.uk
Issue 90 2020
Helping A Child Overcome Death Anxiety With the pandemic and new government regulations creating massive change in our lives, how do we keep our children on an even keel and help them to navigate these unprecedented times without becoming anxious about the future, dying and death? Children learn their coping mechanisms from the adults around them - their parents, guardians and carers. We are in unusual times and we have no instruction booklet for helping our little ones at this time. It is natural to try and shield our children from the harsh realities of life, but sometimes, in an attempt to protect them, we may distort the facts of life and death to soften the truth. This can inadvertently create
a mystery around death which forces children to use their own imagination to fill in the blanks. • Create a safe space where you can share your feelings about the pandemic - please talk about the statistics and the fact that most of us are safe. You go first and be honest about how you feel. Let your child know that they can say what they want without interruption. Allow little silences in the conversation to give time for the words to be understood and also so your child can think before they speak. Moments of silence really are golden in these conversations. • Remember children are still learning and are desperate to fit in. Allowing them to express their own reactions without comparing will give them emotional confidence. Accepting
PAGE
46
Twitter: @icenimagazine
Facebook: www.facebook.com/icenimagazine
Instagram: icenimagazine
