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COVID-19 - Information for Families

We are living in strange and uncertain times, which is deeply unsettling for people of all ages. With the added pressure of children being isolated and home schooled or in uncertain routines in the schools and childcare places open for key workers, the ACP is compiling resources to help parents, carers and young people at this time.

Guidance for parents and carers

Helping children with anxiety around the current crisis 

ACP guidance on Helping your child with coronavirus questions and worries

ACP suggestions for children’s books, including books on COVID-19

ACP guidance on Helping you with the particular anxieties of exam age children

ACP guidance for parents of teenagers on Helping you discuss the stress around COVID-19 with teenagers in your home

Resources from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to help young people

Helping Babies, Young Children, Parents and Carers in the COVID-19 Crisis (Parent and Infant Relationship Service/Lambeth CAMHS)

Resources for parents of babies and toddlers from the Association of Infant Mental Health

Free helpline for parents and carers at YoungMinds

How Should You Support Your Child with the Return to School in September - Post Lockdown?

Advice on talking to your children about illness

Talking to children about illness (British Psychological Society)

How to talk to your child about COVID-19 (UNICEF)

Government Guidance on supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing

Government Guidance on How to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 crisis

Keeping children and young people safe online

Digital safety and wellbeing kit from the Children's Commissioner for England

Understanding Childhood - free leaflets by ACP members for parents and carers

Downloadable leaflets on a range of childhood issues

Understanding your child - series of books by ACP members

Understanding your baby. Boswell, Sophie (2004)

Understanding your one-year-old. Gustavus Jones, Sarah (2004)

Understanding your two-year-old.Miller, Lisa (2004)

Understanding your three-year-old. Emanuel, Louise (2004)

Understanding 4-5-year-olds. Maroni, Lesley (2007)

Understanding 6-7-year-olds. Aves, Corinne (2006)

Understanding 8-9-year-olds. Youell, Biddy (2008)

Understanding 10-11-year-olds. Bergese, Rebecca (2008)

Understanding 12-14-year-olds. Waddell, Margot (2005)

Understanding your young child with special needs. Bartram, Pamela (2007)

Guidance for young people

Handling anxiety and isolation

What to do if you are anxious about coronavirus (YoungMinds)

Young Minds Blog - Looking after yourself with self isolation

Children & Young People's Mental Health Coalition - useful resources

Understanding coronavirus - social stories for younger children (Colour Me Happy)

Coronavirus: What is being done to tackle the virus? (BBC)

Additional resources

The British Psychological Society has additional resources to help parents, carers and children