Best Practice

Traumatic news: Five ideas to help children cope with the pandemic

The pandemic and the 24/7 news and media coverage has the potential to be traumatic for children, especially those of primary school age. Lianna Champ, an expert in grief and trauma counselling, offers five ways to help children cope


When disaster strikes, our reactions and behaviours directly affect how those in our care receive the news and therefore react themselves. This is especially true during this time of global pandemic.

Teachers have a responsibility to be a fount of care, wisdom and information in a calm, structured and all-inclusive environment and to be consistent in this regardless of our own personal opinions. Children learn their coping mechanisms from the adults around them – at home and at school.

It is natural to want to protect children from the harsh realities of life. Each child is an individual and the way they access, receive and assimilate information will vary.

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