The uncertainty that COVID-19 has bought to many families and churches mean that this is a time where it is more important than ever to actively listening to and respond to children’s questions and concerns about Coronavirus.

Here are some resources that focus on considering the needs of children and how we communicate with them in these challenging times.

• The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has published a COVID-19 online safety kit for parents and carers.
• Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant has also published a series of tips on how parents and carers can protect children from online abuse while they are increasingly home from school.
• Keeping children safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a downloadable guide for parents that covers some of the key online safety issues for children and young people and includes a range of practical tips and advice.
• The Coronacast podcast on ABC Radio National has been taking questions from children about coronavirus. Questions from children have appeared in episodes this week and they are currently working on a special kids-only edition for coming weeks. Note thought, that Dr Norman Swan, in answering the questions, doesn’t speak to the children as children – adult interpretation may be required
• Likewise, ABC Radio National’s Life Matters program recently featured an episode focused on talking to children about coronavirus.
• Unicef is publishing resources aimed at talking to children and young people about coronavirus and helping to manage anxiety. Two resources which might be helpful are: How teenagers can protect their mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19) and How to talk to your children about coronavirus: 8 tips to help comfort and protect children.
• Raising Children has produced a resource on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and children in Australia.
• The Australian Childhood Foundation has produced a resource for parents and carers to stay connected with children about COVID-19.
  The Foundation’s web page of COVID resources
  

  There are stories and resources that can be used or adapted by parents and church leaders. They help explore the negatives of the crisis as well as the positives of these changes.
  

  
  

Other resources

• The Australian Government Department of Health website now hosts a COVID-19 Multilingual Resource Library   “Access to reputable information about COVID-19, including in community languages, is vital. A multilingual resource library focused on COVID-19 has been created providing information in 18 languages from health authorities at Federal, State and Global levels. This hub page is being updated as new information is provided and translated. This information when used in conjunction with www.health.gov.au may be useful to you and your clients for current, reputable in-language information and advice”.  Megan Mitchell, National Children’s Commissioner.

Crisis support services still active at time of writing:

• Kids Helpline is still open to answer your call, email or WebChat. Call on 1800 55 1800
• Lifeline continues to provide 24/7 phone support. Call 13 11 14 or visit the website which now hosts tips on mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.
• 1800RESPECT continues to operate as normal during COVID-19. Counsellors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone and web chat. Call 1800 737 732 or visit the website.