The Covid – 19 pandemic has caused a huge amount of confusion, panic and fear amongst the entire population. One group in particular just be feeling utterly confused and uneasy – children. There are a number of ways we can help children cope during lockdown.
I am the mother of an 18-year-old and a 6-year-old, both are girls. My eldest daughter has experienced disappointment, anger and sorrow as her A-Level exams were cancelled. She faces uncertainty regarding her plans to start University in September.
My 6 year old has other concerns. She asks so many questions about the virus. Where did it come from? Why can’t I see my friends and family? Why are people breaking the lock down rules? When will I be able to go to Grandma’s? How long will my school be closed? My husband is in the shielded group. This has led to increased worry in my children, especially for the youngest.
I have been very kindly gifted a recently published book entitled “What’s Going On? (Asked Belinda Fitz-John)” which discusses some of the issues my daughter has quizzed me over in the past few weeks. The book is authored by three mums who have 9 children between them. Their children, like millions of others, have been asking some of these tough to answer questions.
The book is in electronic form so it’s really easy to access! To purchase and download the book from Amazon, click here.
What’s Going On? (Asked Belinda Fitz-John)
I sat down with Aurelia and explored the story What’s Going On? (Asked Belinda Fitz-John). The story features a young girl, Belinda who asks a series of questions to her mother. All of Belinda’s questions are actually those that Aurelia has asked me over the past few weeks.
By reading through the story, Aurelia could see that other children had the same concerns as her. Initially, Aurelia was extremely worried about catching the virus, just as Belinda in the story.
Aurelia has struggled to leave the house for exercise. She is terrified of catching the virus. She is fearful of seeing people in masks and also of wearing one herself. In the story, Belinda discusses some of the concerns she has upon seeing people in face masks.
The story is short, written in simple to understand language and ideal for young children. The illustrations are very colourful and keep the young reader engaged. The point of the story is to explore some of the concerns young children might have as we experience a dramatic change in our society. The story certainly does that.
Many children must feel incredibly lonely as we face this current crisis; they have been removed from their friends, teachers and wider family members. Perhaps they would be discussing some of these concerns with those who they are no longer in contact with. However, this book offers some discussion around these issues, concerns they might not have found the language to fully express.
Aurelia really enjoyed the story. Not only its message and the illustrations but as a book she could read herself. Importantly, it’s a useful tool as us parents seek to help our children to cope during lockdown.
Ways to Keep Children’s Minds Active During Lockdown
Mindfulness Colouring
Aurelia absolutely loves mindfulness colouring. They use this method of relaxation at school. All you need is a picture and some colouring pencils, crayons or felt tip pens.
Mrs Macivity offers some amazing colouring resources, including mindfulness colouring. They also have some amazing rainbow pictures to colour in and place in the window. Aurelia created this one which has a beautiful message.
Not only is colouring therapeutic, but you can also use this activity to encourage children to create some colourful and positive images to place around the home.
Make a Lego Movie
Aurelia’s favourite place to visit is Legoland. She is really missing her regular visits.
As part of her homework, Aurelia was asked to tell the Easter story in whatever way she chose. We decided to make a “Lego movie”. This was honestly one of the best things we have done since lockdown began.
Firstly we planned out each scene. We decided on four scenes – Jesus attested in the Garden of Gethsemena, the crucifixion, Jesus in the tomb and the Resurrection. Aurelia made a back drop (colouring in sheets of paper) for each of these scenes.
For the set, we used a cereal box. We then stuck the scenes onto the cereal box. For the figures, we used a variety of Lego pieces. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a Jesus figure, so we had to improvise!
To create the film, we took a series of photos. This was a little tricky, we set the camera on a tripod and tried not to knock the camera or the set (although we did a bunch of times). Aurelia carefully moved the figures bit by bit and I snapped a picture each time she moved them.
We then uploaded the photos onto the computer and used the video maker app on my laptop to create the film. We could even add music.
This whole activity took a while afternoon, however we had lots of giggles and Aurelia really engaged with this activity. And we have something to show for all our hard work!
Play Card Games
Whenever I would complain of boredom as a child, I would be handed a deck of playing cards. Knowing some simple card games meant I could never be bored!
I’ve taught Aurelia how to play a variety of games over the past few years. Her favourite is “Go Fish”. This weekend, I taught her how to play “Solitaire”. Eager to learn more, I’m going to introduce her to “Clock Face”. These will hopefully be games and skills she continues to enjoy for years to come.
Dominoes
Aurelia loves to play dominoes with her Great Grandfather. He bought her a set for Christmas and we’ve made good use of them in the last few weeks. Such a simple game yet totally engaging!
Dominoes really keeps the mind active!
I can highly recommend the book “What’s Going On? (Asked Belinda Fitz-John)” as a tool in which you can help your own children to cope during lockdown. We have also used some other methods, as listed above. What methods have you used to help children your cope during lockdown? Please share in the comments below.
* This is a collaborative post, however, as always, all opinions are my own.
For similar posts, see my parenting category.
I love that writers have put together such a wonderful book to help ease children’s minds in times like these! The little snippet of the book I did see seemed very positive and there is nothing like rhyme to keep readers engaged.
Author
Thank you for visiting Jaya xxx
Making a Lego movie is such a good idea, I love that! Great post too, the book sounds great for children.
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Author
Thank you Anika xxx
I think this is such a lovely idea and I think in many ways this COVID-19 situation is hardest on children. They’ve been wrenched away from their friends, teachers, and all the safe routines that they know and love. Flora has had a few bad nights where she’s woken up in tears but we’re through that now (I hope) and we’ve been playing games together in the evenings too: cards and Bananagrams mainly! Lovely post, thank you for sharing 🙂 Lisa x
Author
I’m so sorry to hear Flora has been unsettled – hopefully, this will all be a distant memory soon!xxx
My daughter has been scared to leave the house, too. It’s so sad that the entire world has the same feelings. This is such a cute book and a great way to help children cope with all that’s going on!
Author
I hope your daughter feels better about going out soon xxx
Tthe book “What’s Going On? by Belinda Fitz-John is so perfect for children because it talks about covid. I can’t even image just how hard this is for children to understand the what exactly is going on.
Author
You’re right, it is so confusing for the little ones xxx
It’s wonderful that there’s a book to help children cope with the lockdown. In Denmark the lockdown has ended, but the book would’ve been great for my daughter.
Also making a lego movie sounds so fun & I’ve been playing go fish with my daughter too!
Author
Thank you and I hope all is well for you in Denmark! xxx
Thank you!
This is such a lovely idea! This lockdown and everything is so new for us all and it’s hard for us adults to wrap our heads around let alone children. My little sister has been struggling a little bit, so we’ve been on a long walk today which seems to have helped.
Author
I hope your sister feels better soon xxx
The book sounds incredible! Explaining this to children is so hard, knowing what to say so that they understand without trying to scare them is a real challenge so having a tool like that explaining everything on a level they understand sounds like something every parent of younger children should own. I’m glad you’ve found some activities to keep her occupied too x
Sophie
Author
Thank you Sophie xxx
This is such a great post. I don’t have children but I imagine it would be very hard to explain all that’s going on right now to them.
Author
🙂
This is such a lovely idea! My oldest little boy is 3, so he’s still a bit too little to fully understand the situation. It’s been so hard for him! Even more than it has for us.
Rachael xx
Author
It is so confusing for them isn’t it Rachael xxx
What a lovely list of ideas. It must be such an unsettling, strange time for children – I’m sure that these activities will be a big help for parents. I won’t lie, creating a Lego movie sounds like a great activity for us too! Might need to give it a go….! Thanks for sharing!
Author
Thank you for reading!!!xxx