Beating COVID-19 Worksheets

Quick Start
Provided for you by Kidsreach, 39 Mantle Av, North Richmond, NSW 2754.
[email protected]

Thank you for downloading and using this resource.

If you were given these
Many children and young people do not understand what is worksheets from someone
happening with COVID-19. Nor do they know the gravity of else, then you can download
the situation and the need to act now. Hopefully, these your own copy from www.
worksheets will help. Kidsreach.org.au

The worksheets can be used in different ways.

1. As posters to put around the class, home, etc. Some will be particularly helpful if
they are displayed in bathrooms and where food is prepared.
2. Classroom and family discussion starters.
3. Teaching

Some of the worksheets repeat the same message. It is up to you to choose which ones
you want to use, but repetition is an effective way to learn.

The ‘Letter to Parents Template’ should be adapted to suit.

There is both a coloured version and a ‘colouring-in’ version of these worksheets. Children
enjoy colouring in, and when families, classes, or groups do it together, it provides an
excellent opportunity for discussion.

How to use
As you discuss each worksheet, ask the children open-ended questions and listen to their responses.
For example, you might ask:
• What do you know about COVID-19 or Coronavirus?
• What do you think is the worst thing COVID-19 could do to our family?
• What do you think is the worst thing that could happen to our country that would be caused
by COVID-19?
• What are some of the things that you think we could do to help?

Listen to their answers and when necessary, ask more probing questions, so you help them with
explanations. Children get anxious about what they do not understand. But they can be incredibly
resilient when things are adequately explained to them.

If you pick up form them that they are anxious, then reassure them that the risk, at this time, of
them being seriously affected by the disease is minimal. Still, for the sake of others, there are things
that they can and must do to protect their family and community.
Keep Up to Date
The circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and what is being done to deal with it is changing almost
daily. It is crucial to keep up to date by going to reliable websites. Do not depend on social media as
a reliable source of information. The following sites are recommended.

1. UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/stories/novel-coronavirus-outbreak-what-parents-should-know

2. AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FACT SHEET

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/02/coronavirus-covid-19-what-you-
need-to-know_1.pdf

3. KIDS HEALTH FROM NEMOURS

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus.html

4. HELPING CHILDREN WITH STRESS RELATED TO COVID-19

https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/
 Attention Parents COVID-19.

With the media attention given to COVID-19, it is not surprising that some children are feeling
anxious. This letter will give you some ideas on how you can talk to your children and what you can
do as a family.

1. Be Informed.
Go to the following websites. They are particularly useful and will give you ideas on what to talk
about and will help clear up misconceptions you might have.

1. UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/stories/novel-coronavirus-outbreak-what-parents-should-know

2. AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FACT SHEET

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/02/coronavirus-covid-19-
what-you-need-to-know_1.pdf

3. KIDS HEALTH FROM NEMOURS

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus.html

4. HELPING CHILDREN WITH STRESS RELATED TO COVID-19

https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/

2. Have family talks

Set aside a particular time for talking together with your children as a family – sooner rather than
later. Remove all distractions such as TV and mobile devices. With the changing situation you will
need to do this regularly.

Ask your children open-ended questions and listen to their responses. For example, you might ask:
• What do you know about COVID-19 or Coronavirus?
• What do you think is the worst thing COVID-19 could do to our family?
• What do you think is the worst thing that could happen to our country that would be caused
by COVID-19?
• What are some of the things that you think we could do to help?

As children answer these questions it might be necessary to ask more probing questions. For
example,
• Could you tell me a bit more about that?
• Could you tell me what you mean when you say you are worried about your friend?

Pick up any sign that they are distressed or worried. Reassure them that the risk at this time of
getting the disease is minimal but there are things that you can and need to do as a family.

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Reassure your children that although diseases can be scary and at this time, we have to be more
careful than usual, this does not mean everything will change. Identify together the things that will
always be the same for the family (e.g. the child’s interests which may be curtailed temporarily but
they will get back to them, family activities that can be done, Mum and Dad love you, etc.). This may
help reduce a child’s anxiety.

3. Information to think about and discuss.

a. Children and COVID-19
Children generally are less affected than adults in that their symptoms tend to be mild and they
recover quicker. Even when children are not showing any symptoms, they can still pass the virus
onto other, more vulnerable people such as the elderly or sick.

Everyone including children must be especially careful in their hygiene and take all necessary
precautions.

If your child feels ill, monitor them closely and protect others around them to make sure they don't
pass the infection on to friends and family.

Contact your doctor by phone before taking them to the surgery as special arrangements need to be
made.

b. Be Sensibly stocked.
No one knows how long this is going to take before COVID-19 comes under control. While the
present run on supplies at places like supermarkets are a seeming joke, parents do need to look
after their families. It makes sense to stock up on non-perishable essentials. If you ever did have to
self-isolate, that might mean you might have to rely, for a time at least, on what you have in your
home to keep you sustained. This can be made into a positive family project – children will be
reassured that you as a family are doing something. Create a supply (but not a stockpile) of
necessities that could keep the family going for around two weeks.

c. Be especially diligent with hygiene

COVID-19 is spread when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. It also happens when touching
contaminated people, objects or surfaces. Coronaviruses have been detected in blood, faeces and
urine, so extra diligence should be taken with keeping hands clean after toilet. Disinfecting the toilet
and areas where food is prepared or where little hands are likely to have touched is a reasonable
precaution.

d. There are things you can do to keep yourself healthy – rules for the family. These could be
written and put on the wall.

1. Keep your body healthy and strong by getting the right amount of sleep and eating
nutritious foods. This means that if you do get the disease, your body is better able to fight
it! You might consider taking a vitamin supplement.

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 2. Wash your hands frequently using soap and water. Hand sanitisers are not enough if the
disease is present. Soap and water are best, but you need to wash for 20 seconds.

3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue
into a rubbish bin. Never leave used tissues on a bench or elsewhere – straight to the bin or
down the toilet. Then wash your hands with soap.

4. If you do not have a tissue and you are going to sneeze or cough, then sneeze or cough into
your elbow.

5. Stay away from someone who has cold or flu-like symptoms.

6. Avoid physical contact such shaking their hand or giving a high 5. Alternative greetings
include giving a thumbs up or placing your right hand on your chest.

7. Do not take your mobile device into the toilet and do not touch it after using the toilet until
you have washed your hands.

8. Do not touch someone else’s mobile device if they have been using it while in the toilet.

9. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are dirty, especially after using the
toilet.

Parents may want children to have a flu shot, because although the flu is not COVID-19, getting the
flu will make your body weaker.

e. Out of School?
If your children are out of school, the first thought you might have would be how to ensure they
keep up with their schoolwork. But as important is as that is, it may not be the most important.
Take this opportunity to plan some special projects. For example, cooking, baking, scrapbooking, or
any form of craft. Within the required boundaries of keeping away from other people, there might
be other activities such as walks, visits to the park, etc. These must be away from other people and
follow current government guidelines.

Think about what you may not normally have time to do as a family and plan to do it. Perhaps start
by talking with your children and asking them what they would like to do.

Limit and closely monitor your children’s time on the internet and Netflix!

Ensure they have times outside. There is good research that shows sunlight and the outdoors helps
everyone’s health and well-being.

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 f. For Families of Faith: What should I pray for?
Not only can children be assured that God answers prayer, praying also helps children know that
they are doing something to help the situation. Help them pray often:
• For the protection of everyone, especially your friends, family, and people you know.
• For all who are helping those infected. Especially the nurses and doctors.
• For those already infected that they will get well soon.

Note:
All information provided here is for education purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses,
and treatment, you must consult your doctor.