Hot Topics     Home and Family     Early Education    

Helping children understand the pandemic



Social stories, designed for kids with special needs, can also help preschoolers

Social stories, designed for kids with special needs, can also help preschoolers


It's hard for young children or kids with special needs to grasp the changes COVID has wrought in our lives, and our explanations don't always make sense to them. If your preschooler can't understand the importance of wearing a mask or why friends are no longer accessible, consider using a social story to help them grasp the new rules.

Social stories include simple examples of life events from the learner's point of view, reinforced with pictures. Research has shown that this method helps children learn positive behaviors and understand how to behave in social situations. Occupational therapists and teachers use social stories for a wide range of situations, from meeting new friends to navigating the school cafeteria.

Read More: 4 tips nurture kids' literacy and love for books

Social stories addressing the pandemic are available for free online. 

You will find other illustrated stories covering issues like riding the school bus, why my school is closed and others. 

You might want to adapt an existing story to your own situation. Intervention specialist Jack Hans offers guidelines for using the method successfully.

Compose the story from the child's perspective. Statements should use “I,” or if your child has trouble understanding the concept of pronouns, use the child's name.

Include pictures. Photos of your house, family, and community are ideal and can easily be embedded in the text. Otherwise, drawings are second best.

Specify appropriate behaviors. Describe actions in the form of “I will” or “I can”, to help the child incorporate self-talk in real life.

Read the story together multiple times, both before going into life situations and afterward, for reinforcement. Lamination preserves the pages for frequent use.

Don't use a social story in response to negative behavior. You don't want reading the story to be seen as punishment, which only reminds the child of mistakes made.

Avoid describing negative behaviors in the story. Rather than “I won't take my mask if I'm close to other people,” the story should state “I'll keep my mask on around others.”



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Get Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs

    Third Annual Orange County District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby

    The Third District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby will run from April 1 through Sept. 4, 2023. The event is open to young people between the ages of 4 and 18 who are children or grandchildren of Orange County residents. read more »
  • Kids aren't eating fruits and veggies

    Happiest Baby's Dr. Harvey Karp has tips to change that

    A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 32% of 1- to 5-year-olds did not eat a single piece of fruit a day and nearly one half (~49%) didn't eat any vegetables a day. Roughly 51% drank a sugar-sweetened beverage, like fruit drinks or soda, at least once a week. read more »
  • 5 sleep habits essential for heart health

    Make sure you get your zzz's with these tips

    In the days following a time change due to daylight saving time, research shows a marked increase in heart attacks and strokes. However, losing sleep anytime can be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. read more »
  • Take these 6 steps to manage your blood pressure

    Hypertension can be dangerous

    High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the United States, and only about 1 in 4 with this condition have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). read more »
  • Make your St. Patrick's Day spread green with envy

    These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or an appetizer

    Freshen up your St. Patrick’s Day menu with easy, light sandwiches inspired by the traditional color of the festivities. These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or even as an appetizer for get-togethers with friends and family. read more »
  • Lucky mint brownie perfection

    A twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate

    How lucky you must be to come across this recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This one is a twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate that’s sure to have almost anyone’s taste buds screaming “yum.” This dessert might just be the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow this year. read more »
  • 3 ways parents can encourage social emotional learning in children

    Parents focus on social emotional skills, mental health, kindness and understanding differences

    Most parents would agree the quality of their children’s education plays a key role in their overall development. While parents are optimistic about the future of education, they also recognize children have educational needs beyond what is considered the standard. read more »
  • Selecting a health care provider

    Resources to guide your selection

    Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility, especially if you’re just getting started with Medicare or have changes in your life, such as a new diagnosis of a condition or disease. It can be overwhelming if you need services like nursing home care, have to find a new doctor or get home health care. read more »
  • 5 simple solutions for proper nasal hygiene

    Keep your nasal passages clean, clear and moisturized

    Your nose is essential for conditioning the air you breathe and serves as the first line of defense against dust, pollution, bacteria, viruses and more. The presence of these substances in your nasal passages can trigger infections, disease and illness. read more »
  • Have a bump on your foot?

    Don’t ignore it

    Have a lump or bump on your foot? Whether it’s painful or not, it could potentially signal a serious condition. Foot and ankle surgeons warn it’s important to have it checked out, no matter its size or location on your foot. read more »