The Kids Are All Right…But Why? Children and their Parents in the Age of COVID

• In Event: The Importance of Relationships to Support Children and Families During COVID-19

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examined children’s hopes, fears and perceptions of the world during the COVID pandemic, as well as parent-child conversations about COVID, to understand COVID’s impact on their lives. Data were collected over three weeks in May-June 2020, from children ages 6-11 and their parents (N = 611) in 43 states across the U.S. Children responded to open-ended questions about hopes and fears with drawings, photos, text, and videos. Most questions intentionally did not mention COVID, to gauge how it naturally arose in their responses, followed by more targeted questions about COVID itself. Open-ended responses were categorized and coded. Interrater reliability was established by five independent coders and Krippendorff's alpha coefficients for all variables were acceptable, ranging from .71 to .97. Parents also answered questions about the frequency and content of COVID-related conversations with their children.
At all ages, findings revealed that, while children were very much aware of COVID (97% could describe COVID when prompted specifically about it, and 42% mentioned COVID in response to general questions), only 29% of children spontaneously expressed COVID-related fears—a figure that did not greatly surpass typical childhood fears such as the dark or monsters (24%). Children’s responses concerning hopes, fears, and wishes indicated that they remained typical kids who love their families, have silly wishes, and want good in the world. They demonstrated resilience in expressions of hope, connection, and self-efficacy (e.g., drawing themselves physically fighting against COVID with weapons or special powers).
Where did this resilience come from? Children largely identified their parents as heroes and sources of care in their lives, followed by other family members (with whom they interacted either in person or remotely via technology). Data from parents lent greater insight into the nature of the conversations through which they supported their children. The majority (80%) of parents spoke with their children at least a few times a week about COVID circumstances. They most frequently discussed practical ways to minimize the risks of COVID: how to stay safe with handwashing and masks (93%), changes to their daily lives (85%), and how to interact safely with people (72%). Fewer discussed more abstract concepts: what the virus is (63%), how their child feels (66%), how parents themselves feel (40%), and how people are helping in the community (57%).
Based on this national sample of families, it appears that children’s COVID anxiety has not completely overwhelmed them, and they may be adapting to our COVID circumstances better than we adults anticipated. Connection with loved ones and conversation with parents are very important to children. Frequent conversations about practical means to protect from COVID and that touch on the hope that medical staff are bringing to communities can keep children informed with reassurance that things will be okay. Comforting children with connection and conversation may help continue to build their resilience and support their adapting to these rapidly changing times.

Authors

• Courtney Wong Chin, Sesame Workshop
  Presenting Author

• Rosemarie Truglio, Sesame Workshop
  Non-Presenting Author

• Shalom M Fisch, MediaKidz
  Non-Presenting Author