A Simple Practice Exercise for Parents Dealing With Coronavirus

Note: We are reaching out to storytellers, parents, and children all over the world to collect stories that bring a little healing and levity to the coronavirus outbreak. We believe families need tools to help children (and parents) deal with the anxiety and cabin fever, not just the virus. Storytelling is a time-tested way to build safety, intimacy, and creativity in the home.

Visit the Coronavirus Storytelling Home Page

To be clear - these stories, articles, and resources are intended to help parents guide young children and ease anxiety in the household after the serious work of preparation has been done. They are not intended to make light of the illness. While this and other stories can be shared directly with children, we believe you will find the greatest comfort in crafting stories of your own with the help of your child.

Practice Exercise

Ask your child to tell you a story about illness. Maybe it’s about a little child or a bear that got sick, then what she had to do to get well, or what her mother or father might have done, etc. Maybe it’s about being stuck at home and not being able to see friends.

The practice is to give her complete freedom. By listening to the story, you will discover fears and strengths in your child that you might otherwise have a hard time obtaining in clear words.

What stories and ideas are bothering her? What makes her feel safe? How you can use that information to keep her healthy and in good spirit (and yourself)? If the story is sad or heavy, what can you do to help her transform it?