Question: How should I discuss the COVID19 outbreak with children in a way that they can process?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions
section_headers: COVID-19 and Children
How do I prepare my children in case of COVID-19 outbreak in our community?
section_content: Outbreaks can be stressful for adults and children. Talk with your children
about the outbreak, try to stay calm, and reassure them that they are safe. If
appropriate, explain to them that most illness from COVID-19 seems to be mild.
Children respond differently to stressful situations than
adults.
CDC offers
resources to help talk with children about
COVID-19.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Provides a brief overview of how to talk to children, with links to more detailed information.
The question asks about discussing COVID-19 with children in a way that they would understand. The answer does address that in a fairly simple way. Nothing is discussed about explaining to children how to stay safe, which are details that should be included.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
section_headers: Facts about COVID-19 to discuss with children
section_content: Try to keep information simple and remind them that health are working hard to
keep everyone safe and healthy.
What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Scientists and doctors are still learning about it.
Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick. Scientists and doctors are trying to learn more so they can help people who get sick.
Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.

What can I do so that I don’t get COVID-19?
You can practice healthy habits at home, school, and play to help protect against the
spread of COVID-19.
What happens if you get sick with COVID-19?

COVID-19 can look different in different people. For many people, being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems.
If you do get sick, it doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. People can get sick from all kinds of germs. What’s important to remember is that if you do get sick, the adults at home will help get you any help that you need.

[1] Developed by the National Association of School Nurses and the National
Association of School Psychologists. Also available in Spanish [PDF – 5
pages]

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has fairly detailed information about how to talk to children about COVID-19.
The answer goes into great detail, while still explaining things in a way that people could explain to children. It does a good job of providing many details that directly relate to the question.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
section_headers: Tips for talking to children
section_content: 
Remain calm. Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.
Reassure children that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
Make yourself available to listen and to talk. Let children know they can come to you when they have questions.
Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.
Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online. Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.
Provide information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child. Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs. Remind children to wash their hands frequently and stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick. Also, remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
If school is open, discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed guidance about how to talk to children about the pandemic.
The answer goes into great detail about how to make sure children will understand the information. And it also gives the very detailed information about what should be said to children. The answer explains what to say, and how to say it.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent