ACLP shares the general public's concern about the COVID-19 pandemic. As the organization reacts to this public health crisis, we are guided by our vision: ACLP advances psychosocial care and the emotional safety of children, youth, and families impacted by healthcare and significant life experiences. To support child life specialists, allied healthcare workers, educators, other professionals, and the general public as we navigate this significant life experience together, ACLP would like to share these COVID-19 resources.
Resources for Children and Teens
Resources for Parents and Professionals
Articles and Blog Posts
Answering your young child's questions about coronavirus
Answering your young child's questions about coronavirus. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3265-answering-your-young-child-s-questions-about-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR2j0DXU4cz9_uGZ_Dsw9hubFzgUlMtaf2xKnruIl3xDTfhfG2-uzqcC3tg
Helping Kids Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic - Created by a CCLS
Mayo Clinic (2020). Helping kids cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Retrieved from https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/helping-kids-cope-with-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Helping Kids Get Comfortable with Wearing a Mask During COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Thornton, S. (2020). Helping kids get comfortable with wearing a mask during COVID-19. Retrieved from https://childlifemommy.com/helping-kids-get-comfortable-wearing-a-mask-during-covid-19/
How to Talk to Your Child About COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Burnett, D. (2020, March 21). Guest blog: How to Talk to your child about COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.destinydeas.com/blog/2020/3/21/guest-blog-how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-covid-19
How to Talk to Your Kids About COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Mayo Clinic (2020). How to talk to your kids about COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/kids-covid-19/art-20482508
In a Time of Crisis, Play is the Work of the Child - Created by a CCLS
Edwards, K. (2020). In a time of crisis, play is the work of the child. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/progress-notes/202004/in-time-crisis-play-is-the-work-the-child
Paediatric Pandemic Planning: Children’s Perspectives and Recommendations - Created by a CCLS
Koller, D., Nicholas, D., Gearing, R., and Kalfa, O. (2010). Paediatric pandemic planning: children’s perspectives and recommendations. Health & Social Care in the Community, 18(4), 369-377. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2524.2009.00907.x
Talking to Children About the New Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - Created by a CCLS
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (2020). Talking to children about the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Retrieved from https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/talking-children-about-new-coronavirus-disease-covid-19#
Talking to Children and Teens About COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital (2020). Talking to children and teens about COVID-19. Retrieved from https://uichildrens.org/health-library/talking-children-and-teens-about-covid-19-coronavirus
Talking to kids about THE CORONAVIRUS
Ehmke, R., & Child Mind Institute. (2020). Talking to kids about THE CORONAVIRUS. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
What Parents Can Tell Children About Coronavirus - Created by a CCLS
Boles, J. (2020, March 9). What Parents Can Tell Children About Coronavirus.
Retrieved from https://www.mysouthernhealth.com/parents-tell-children-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR0IZdvnRLMsdPRH9iL0nF2_r9UevZtwG0LrZ53nEq5aAQeTy3ZBnb3vZhU
Handouts
5 Essential Needs of Children - Created by a CCLS
Wadium, J. (2020). 5 Essential Needs of Children.
5 Ways to Help Your Child During the COVID-19 Outbreak and Activities and Ideas for Helping Your Child - Created by a CCLS
Beyer, K. (2020). 5 Ways to Help Your Child During the COVID-19 Outbreak and Activities and Ideas for Helping Your Child.
Answering Your Child's Questions About COVID-19 - Created by a child life student
Wiens, K. (2020). Answering your child's questions about COVID-19.
As a Healthcare Worker-Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus - Created by a CCLS
Denver Health (2020). As a healthcare worker: Talking to kids about coronavirus.
Atraumatic Care for Nasal Swabs - Created by a CCLS
Black, K. (2020). Atraumatic Care for Nasal Swabs.
Children's Books Dealing with Separation - Created by a CCLS
Johns, C. (2020). Children's books dealing with separation.
Children’s Books on Grief - Created by a CCLS
Thornton, S. (2020). Children’s books on grief.
Coronavirus: How to Support Your Child - Created by a CCLS
Wonders & Worries (2020). Coronavirus: How to support your child.
COVID-19: Supporting Children at End of Life - Created by a CCLS
Wonders & Worries (2020). COVID-19: Supporting children at end of life.
Explaining COVID-19 to Kids - Created by a CCLS
Wonders & Worries (2020). Explaining COVID-19 to kids.
Grief Resources for Parents and Caregivers - Created by a CCLS
Halton Healthcare (2020). Grief Resources for Parents and Caregivers.
Helping Children Say Goodbye From Afar - Created by a CCLS
Schoell, T. (2020). Helping Children Say Goodbye From Afar.
Helping Your Child Cope with Isolation in the Hospital - Created by a CCLS
Children's Mercy (2020). Helping Your Child Cope with Isolation in the Hospital.
How to Best Quarantine at Home When a Parent Has COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Wonders & Worries (2020). How to best quarantine at home when a parent has COVID-19.
How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus - Created by a CCLS
Taylor, K. (2020). How to talk to children about the coronavirus.
How to Talk with your Child about COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Benoit, J, Orman, H., and Szewczynski, T. (2020). How to Talk to Your Child About COVID-19.
If Coronavirus Were a Viral Media Post: How to Talk to Teens About COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Levitan, A. (2020). If Coronavirus Were a Viral Media Post: How to Talk to Teens About COVID-19
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019
Griffin, D. (2020, March 06). Parent/Caregiver guide to helping Families cope with THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.nctsn.org/resources/parent-caregiver-guide-to-helping-families-cope-with-the-coronavirus-disease-2019
Parenting in the Time of COVID-19
World Health Organization (2020). Parenting in the time of COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/healthy-parenting
Pediatric Patients in Isolation - Created by a CCLS
Children's Mercy (2020). Pediatric Patients in Isolation - Staff resource.
Preparing for a Nasal Swab - Created by a CCLS
Children's Mercy (2020). Preparing for a Nasal Swab.
Spanish Version
Reassuring Your Child About Coronavirus - Created by a CCLS
Knott, H. (2020). Reassuring Your Child About Coronavirus
Reassuring Your Child About Coronavirus Infographic - Created by a CCLS
Knott, H. (2020). Reassuring Your Child About Coronavirus
Spanish Version
Resources for Coping & Distraction While Isolated in the Hospital or at Home - Created by a CCLS
Advocate Children's Hospital (2020). Resources for coping & distraction while isolated in the hospital or at home.
Script for Explaining Coronavirus to Children - Created by a CCLS
Knott, H. (2020). Script for Explaining Coronavirus to Children.
Supporting and Talking with Children of an Adult Hospitalized for COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Advocate Children's Hospital (2020). Supporting and talking with children of an adult hospitalized for COVID-19.
Supporting Children and Teens During COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Thornton, S. (2020). Supporting Children and Teens During COVID-19. Retrieved from https://childlifemommy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Supporting-Children-and-Teens-During-COVID-19-Child-Life-Mommy.pdf
Supporting Children During a Parent's Hospitalization for COVID-19 (Acute Care) - Created by a CCLS
Wonders & Worries (2020). Supporting children during a parent's hospitalization for COVID-19 - Acute Care.
Supporting Children During a Parent's Hospitalization for COVID-19 (Critical Care) - Created by a CCLS
Wonders & Worries (2020). Supporting children during a parent's hospitalization for COVID-19 - Critical care
Supporting Children During COVID-19 Pandemic - Created by a CCLS
Cox, K. (2020). Supporting Children During COVID-19 Pandemic
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health - Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
SAMHSA (2020). Taking care of your behavioral health - Tips for social distancing, quarantine, and isolation during an infectious disease outbreak. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Taking-Care-of-Your-Behavioral-Health-Tips-for-Social-Distancing-Quarantine-and-Isolation-During-an-Infectious-Disease-Outbreak/PEP20-01-01-007
Talking with Hospitalized and Isolated Children Being Tested for COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Advocate Children's Hospital (2020). Talking with hospitalized and isolated children being tested for COVID-19.
Tips for talking to children COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Donna Koller, PhD, CCLS
Videos and Podcasts
A Kids' Guide to Coronavirus
Barbaro, M. (Writer). (2020, March 27). A Kids' Guide to Coronavirus [Radio series episode]. In The Daily. New York, NY: The New York Times.
Autism Dysregulation During COVID-19: Strategies for Coping with Disrupted Routines, Heightened Anxiety, and Emotional Distress
Morris, K. (2020). Autism dysregulation during COVID-19: Strategies for coping with disrupted routines, heightened anxiety, and emotional distress. Retrieved from https://catalog.pesi.com/item/autism-dysregulation-covid19-strategies-coping-disrupted-routines-heightened-anxiety-emotional-distress-57701
DIY Child Life: Talking to Children About the Coronavirus or Covid19 - Created by a CCLS
Lowry, G. (2020). DIY Child Life: Talking to children about the coronavirus or covid19. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watchv=JH7mYECU_ic&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3v7tAZ3_QtxHXaEeJqFI_wcRCyutr9xdFsKNpCOtb6D-7tWwz2mznr74s
No White Lies: Truth Telling to Kids During Difficult Times - COVID-19 - Created by a CCLS
Omens, S. (2020). No White Lies: Truth Telling to Kids During Difficult Times - COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=234834407639510
Parent COVID Conversation Helper - Created by a CCLS
Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital KidZoneTV (2020). Parent COVID Conversation Starter. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/mschildlife/videos/267640057567628/
Supporting Your Child During COVID-19: Nasal Swab Testing - Created by a CCLS
Mayo Clinic (2020). Supporting your child during COVID-19: Nasal swab testing. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVP8CzDotFI&feature=youtu.be
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus - Created by a CCLS
Taylor, K. (2020, March 12). Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus [Podcast episode]. Child Life on Call.
Resources for ACLP Members and Healthcare Providers
Student Volunteer and Resource Opportunities
Created by ACLP’s Education & Training Committee, supported by academic leader Belinda Hammond and her cohort of student volunteers, this workbook includes volunteer experiences, free (and paid) resources that have pivoted to meet student needs. Note: Inclusion in this resource does not guarantee acceptance by an internship program.
COVID-19 Impacts and Perspectives Webinar -
ACLP Members Only
Join a panel of child life professionals at various career stages as they discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their work and the lessons learned that they will carry with them after the crisis has passed. This webinar is not available for PDUs. The live webinar will be held at 1 PM on April 2 and available on demand after that date.
Caring for Clinicians
Free webinars for healthcare professionals addressing wellness, moral distress, and emotional survival.
Coronavirus Online Therapy
Free and low-cost therapy for essential workers, including those in healthcare.
Creating Heartbeat Keepsakes
Video tutorial on how to take a person's heartbeat printout and preserve it in liquid resin as a keepsake.
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
A children's book to support the children of healthcare workers.
Testing Children for COVID-19: Resources for Test Providers
An online course for clinicians performing COVID testing and resources to support pediatric patients and their caregivers.
Tips and Tools for Working from Home
Bailey Kasten, ACLP COO, and Meagan Roloff, ACLP's Director of Member Engagement and Partnerships, share their preferred platforms and strategies for working from home.