The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has some helpful tips for starting the conversation with your kids about COVID-19 and for teaching them everyday things they can do to help stop the spread of germs.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/talking-with-children.html

PBS has a wealth of resources for talking to your children about illness, including links to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Sesame Street and Curious George explaining handwashing, germs, and other healthy habits to prevent illness. They also include Spanish language resources for parents and children:

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus 

The National Association of School Psychologists has a Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19 PDF available in English Spanish, Chinese, Korean, French, Vietnamese, Bahasa, Urdu, and Hmong. The guide encourages parents to respond to children’s questions with age-appropriate and honest answers and to monitor television and social media viewing, among other tips. https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/covid-19-resource-center

National Geographic is sharing their ideas for how to talk to kids about COVID-19 while staying calm and being honest about how it impacts them, their family and daily life.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/in-the-news/coronavirus/talking-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus/ 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed this kid-friendly video explaining COVID-19. It can help you explain what we know about the virus to your little ones in a way that they can understand, precautions they can take and will hopefully ease worries they have about getting it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPsY-jLqaXM

The World Health Organization has an online book available for children ages 6-11: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/09-04-2020-children-s-story-book-released-to-help-children-and-young-people-cope-with-covid-19

Teachers Pay Teachers has an E-book available for children, grades Kindergarten through Third. The site requires free registration to access the download: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-is-a-Pandemic-Freebie-5331387

During this stressful time, it’s important for parents, children and youth to have someone to call for information about stress management, healthy communication and positive parenting. The Parents Anonymous Inc. helpline can be that support to families. Parents Anonymous has skilled helpline staff and parent support groups, and they can give parents the tools they need to talk to kids about COVID-19.

https://www.pe.com/2020/04/16/as-stress-rises-in-coronavirus-pandemic-so-does-risk-to-child-safety/ 

Susan Stutzman, owner of Kid Matters Counseling, and Fernando Gonzalez, Child Therapist and Children’s Book Author, have developed an information video to help parents navigate talking to their kids about COVID-19, along with a free downloadable book to help your children learn more about it.

https://kidmatterscounseling.com/blog/navigating-unexpected-situations-of-the-coronavirus-with-your-kids/ 

The COVID-19 pandemic can affect a lot more then just our physical health. While many of our kids are nervous about getting sick, it’s important to talk to them about the other impacts the virus can have. Here are five life lessons recommended by experts to teach your kids during these unpredictable times: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/coronavirus-five-life-lessons-to-teach-kids-while-self-isolating.html

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recognizes there is no right or wrong way to talk to your kids about COVID-19 but wants to help parents by providing suggestions to make the conversation a little easier.

https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/Docs/latest_news/2020/Coronavirus_COVID19__Children.pdf