Be honest and keep it simple

• If your child is sent home to be quarantined because they were near someone with a positive COVID-19 test, you might say:
  
  “Wildwood has discovered that you have been near someone who tested positive for COVID-19.”
  
  “So that the virus doesn’t spread to other people, Wildwood is sending you home from school for seven days in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. While you are home, you will be doing schoolwork online.”
  
  “We don’t know who tested positive for the virus. That person may feel sick, or they may not. If they do feel sick, they will get the help they need to feel better.”
  
  “We will have you tested again. If your test results are negative, you will still stay home for seven days. That would mean that you would be returning to school on (insert the correct date.)” (You might want to show this date to your child on a calendar and have them mark off each day.)
  
  “If these results come back positive, you may or may not feel sick. If you do feel sick, your doctor will tell us the best way to take care of you so you feel better soon. You will return to school seven days after you have a negative test result.”
  
  (For younger children)
  “Have you heard the word quarantine at school? Do you know what that means? Do you remember when we first learned about the Corona Virus and we stayed at home and spent time together (add your family details here, such as playing games, watching movies, baking, etc.) We are going to do this again for seven days. This time only the people at school who have a positive test result or have been around someone with the virus are being sent home. What would you like to do at home together while we are in quarantine? Let’s make a plan to do that!”
  

• If your child is sent home to be quarantined because they tested positive for COVID-19, you might say:
  
  “Wildwood told us that your recent COVID-19 results showed that you tested positive for the virus.”
  
  “So that the virus doesn’t spread to other people, Wildwood is sending you home from school in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. While you are home, you will be doing schoolwork online, unless you don’t feel well.”
  
  “You may or may not feel sick in the next few days. If you do feel sick, your doctor will tell us the best way to take care of you so you feel better soon.”
  
  “You will return to school seven days after you have a negative test result.”
  
  (For younger children)
  “Have you heard the word quarantine at school? Do you know what that means? Do you remember when we first learned about the Corona Virus and we stayed at home and spent time together (add your family details here, such as playing games, watching movies, baking, etc.) We are going to do this again. This time only the people at school who have a positive test result or have been around someone with the virus are being sent home. What would you like to do at home together while we are in quarantine? Let’s make a plan to do that!”

Tips for Parents

• Children need to feel safe, seen, soothed, and secure*. Do:
  
  
  • Actively listen to them, help them label their feelings and ask their questions, and validate their experience.

• A sense of agency helps children feel empowered and less worried

  • Remind your child that experts and doctors know a lot about this virus now. Recall all the actions they can take to be safe and healthy, such as, frequent and thorough handwashing, correctly wearing their mask in public, eating healthy foods, getting the proper amount of sleep, and exercising.

• More time to talk

  • Tell them they can talk to you anytime about their thoughts and feelings about this. 

  • Help them name their feelings because this can help to reduce anxiety.

  • Make sure that these conversations are a positive experience so they know that coming to you is something that is helpful and feels good.

• Check your own feelings and remain calm

  • Children pick up on their adults’ emotional states. 

  • Be mindful of your internal emotional state and use your own regulation strategies before connecting with your child.

If you need further support or guidance for talking to your child about quarantine, please contact Elementary School Counselor Chris McKenna at cmckenna@wildwood.org. 

*Resource/For more information please see: https://www.tinabryson.com/news/coronavirus-talking-points-for-parents-amp-teachers-with-the-whole-brain-child-approach