How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus

Earlier this week, I overheard my kids engaged in a round of "I heard" and "Did you know?" while they were getting ready for bed. "I heard that Margaret's dad has it," said my six-year-old. "Did you know that it's the worst sickness ever?" added my eight-year-old.

Neither statement is accurate, but they were revealing: I had thought my initial conversations with my kids about COVID-19 had been good enough. But with adults, kids at school and the news all hyper-focused on this coronavirus outbreak, my reassuring voice needed to be a little louder.

A favorite Mister Rogers' quote ran through my mind: "Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary."