When Bad News is in the News, by Dr. Brad Schwall

Any time there are scary or extraordinary events in the news, children can sense the anxiety and may have worries.  It is important only to expose your children to and discuss issues and facts that are age-appropriate.  When your children seem to be worried about what is in the news:

• Avoid constant discussion about and attention to the situation
• Ask what they understand about what is happening
• Provide age-appropriate facts
• Provide reassurance

Helping Children Understand the Swine Flu

• Explain that people are being careful because the flu is contagious and this is a different kind of flu than that which is usually spread
• Explain that washing hands and taking precautions prevents us from getting sick
• Emphasize that washing hands is always important - germs are all around us, but our bodies can resist them and washing hands prevents them from spreading
• Avoid exposing your children to too much media coverage about the swine flu - it may make it seem more imminent than it really is
• Don't exaggerate the fear of getting sick by threatening that if your children don't wash their hands, they will get very sick
• If your children's school is out due to the swine flu, continue your bedtime and morning routines so that your children will be prepared to get back to school
• Focus on the swine flu as another type of flu without making too much of a connection to pigs, especially with younger children - for detailed information on the origins of the swine flu, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site: www.cdc.gov

Cool Kids is a social and emotional learning curriculum that teaches students in Kindergarten through 8th grade social and emotional skills for success in relationships, academics, and life.