Help kids understand health threats

Daily news reports about Ebola infections, quarantines and death may have children worried that they may be stricken by this disease or other illnesses. Human sciences specialists offer suggestions for helping children cope with their fears in the Science of Parenting blog from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

?Research shows that too much unsupervised media viewing can cause children unneeded and unintentional stress and fear,? said Janet Smith, a human sciences specialist in family life.

?Watch the news with your children and observe how they react to stories about Ebola and the flu, and other threats to human health,? Smith said.

?Talk to your children about what they?re seeing and hearing in the news. Find out what they know and what questions they would like answered,? added Lori Hayungs, also a human sciences specialist in family life.

?Start with the facts and what they really need to know, and keep in mind what they are developmentally able to understand. This will give you an opportunity to reassure them, clear up any misconceptions and point out the many health and medical professionals and scientists who are helping solve this problem,? Hayungs said.

In November, Smith and Hayungs will blog about ways that parents can reduce children?s anxiousness related to the Ebola outbreak. They also will look at how parents can use the situation to teach children important skills about illness prevention and world health issues.