As we navigate this unprecedented time together, we hope that you find this free resource helpful. This book is for parents, guardians, and educators to help children aged 3-8 understand the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, young children around the world may have either experienced trauma (e.g., lock down) from the coronavirus or have been exposed to scary images about the virus through media. It is extremely hard for children to understand why social distancing is happening, and why they can’t play with their friends anymore.
This books seeks to 1) reassure the child about their safety, 2) redirect the child’s attention to the positive actions undertaken by medical doctors and others, 3) empower and engage children in helping acts, 4) understand the importance of social distancing.
One of the best ways caretakers can help young children cope is by sharing age-appropriate information, reassuring their safety, and learning about the many people working to fight the virus.
Please click here to download a PDF version of the book.
About the Author
Dr. Shu-Chen “Jenny” Yen is an associate professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, California State University, Fullerton. She created and shared her first social story with the public for the 911 terrorist attacks by the al-Qaeda on the United States on September 11, 2001. To date, she has created several social stories for young victims who were impacted by typhoons, earthquakes, hurricanes in Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and the USA. With trauma-informed care practice in mind, she hopes this social story can help children living in the impacted areas find love and courage. She was the 2018 P.E.A.C.E Award recipient from the Peace Educators Allied for Children Everywhere (P.E.A.C.E.) She is nominated by the Educators for Peaceful Classrooms and Communities (EPCC) for the 2020 Honor an Early Childhood Educator Award, California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAAEYC).
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