Timely Topic: Calming Kids’ Fears About Coronavirus
Posted by jglassman on
Navigating the outbreak of an illness can be difficult for both kids and grown-ups. At BrainPOP, we feel a responsibility to help kids stay informed and calm, especially when anxiety-provoking news becomes overwhelming.
As the outbreak of a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) quickly reached headline news, our team discussed its impact on kids around the world—in China, where schools remain closed to slow the spread of the virus, and in global classrooms, where kids are observing the panic and wondering what they can do to stay healthy. We have also read stories about kids feeling marginalized by classmates because of their race or culture. This is a powerful opportunity for all of us to help kids separate facts from fear, and to remind them that viruses don’t discriminate based on where you come from or what your background is.
BrainPOP’s first topics focused on health and science, and this legacy continues to inform our work. Our founder, pediatrician and immunologist Dr. Avraham Kadar, saw that his young patients had better health outcomes when they understood what was happening in their bodies. They felt less and afraid and were empowered by their newfound knowledge to take action. We take this inspiration to heart with every topic we cover across the curriculum.
When it comes to a global health threat like the new coronavirus, our goal is to empower kids to make sense of what’s happening in the world around them and within them: Through explaining the behavior of viruses and biological systems, we are also calming raw emotions like fear and uncertainty.
Our Coronavirus Topic is currently free for all to access on BrainPOP. We’ve also developed an accompanying lesson plan to support teachers as they help kids make real life connections, use inquiry and critical thinking skills, and express their ideas through thought-provoking creative projects.
Be WELL,
The BrainPOP Team
