COVID-19 Resources for Families: Help Children Understand COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is a very challenging time for everyone, especially for families with young children and children with disabilities. With school being closed, disruptions of the family routines, and limited physical activities, children may feel overwhelmed, upset, and stressed. Children also may have a lot of questions.

To help children cope with the changes resulting from COVID-19, families can have a conversation about what is happening, and teach children how to handle this situation. Social stories can be a useful tool for families to help young children navigate this difficult situation.

On this resources page, we provide a list of social story resources that are focused on COVID-19, followed by a list of resources that can help families teach children how to calm down.

Talk with Children About COVID-19 Using Social Stories

• Something Strange Happened in My City: A COVID-19 Social Stories for Young ChildrenA scripted story that helps young children understand COVID-19 pandemic and how it affects our life; [English][Spanish][Traditional Chinese][Simplified Chinese][Japanese][Vietnamese]; Dr. Shu-Chen Jenny Yen
• Let’s Talk about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Whiteboard Social Narrative VideoA social narrative video that helps children respond to COVID-19 pandemic; [English][Spanish]; University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD)
• What Is the Coronavirus?A scripted story that helps families talk to their children about COVID-19; English; Little Puddings
• My Name Is CoronavirusA scripted story explaining the common COVID-19 symptoms; English; MindHeart
• Why Is My School ClosedA scripted story explaining why schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; English; Program-Wide Positive Behavior Support (PWPBS)
• Time to Come In, Bear: A Children’s Story about Social DistancingAn animated storybook video explaning social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic; English; Kim St. Lawrence
• Explain COVID-19 to Children with DisabilitiesThis resource provides simple visuals to help families explain COVID-19 to children with disabilities; English; New York City Department of Education
• Seeing Other People Wearing Masks

          A scripted story explaning why people are wearing masks now; English; Autism Little Learners

Help Children Cope with Their Emotions During COVID-19 Pandemic

• Help Children CopeA tipsheet with strategies for families to respond to children’s emotions and behaviors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; English; The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Feeling Face Chart and TemplateAn activity that can help children learn about different feelings and facial expressions; [English][Spanish]; National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)
• Practice Belly BreathingAn animated video explaining how to belly breathe; English; PBS KIDS
• Make a Mindfulness Jar or Calming Timeout TimerA mindfulness tool that can help both adults and children relax and calm down; English; PBS KIDS
• Prioritize Coping and Calming SkillsA webpage with different strategies and resources related to self-management skills for individuals with autism; English; Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules (AFIRM), Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute