Children/Teens and COVID-19

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Living Here

For information on preparing your child to go back to school, visit our return to school page.

Healthy eating

Children need to eat a variety of healthy foods every day to get the nutrients needed for proper growth and development. Healthy eating and following the recommendations in Canada’s food guide will help children and teens get the nutrients needed to maintain a strong immune system.

Resources

Managing Food Allergies During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Kids with Food Allergies)
Healthy eating for parents and children (Government of Canada)
Healthy Eating Recipe Book (Region of Waterloo Public Health)
UnlockFood (Registered Dietitians of Canada)

Managing stress

If you are having an emergency, dial 911. If you need crisis support, call 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247).

COVID-19 has impacted people’s lives in many ways. Everyone will respond to the COVID-19 pandemic differently. In these times of uncertainty, feelings of concern, anxiety, or stress are normal for both you and your child. It is important to take care of your family’s mental health. It is okay not to be okay.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health During COVID-19

Taking Care of Your Child's Mental Health During COVID-19

Physical distancing

Children and teens can still connect with their friends and family while maintaining physical distancing guidelines. Physical distancing must be maintained between anyone who is not a member of your household.

Stay connected to friends via video chat or phone calls
Spend time with members of your household who are not showing symptoms of COVID-19 or independently

Play board games
Read books
Learn a new hobby
Cook healthy meals together
Helping with chores

Activities not permitted with physical distancing guidelines

Meeting in-person with friends where physical distancing cannot be maintained

At their homes/your home
In cars together

Sharing make-up, food, drinks, cigarettes or vaping devices

Physical activity

Children of all ages should be physically active throughout the day. Physical activity helps improve children’s mental health and well being, helps reduce stress and develop strength, flexibility and bone density.

There are many activities that you and your children can do around your home while in self-isolation or around your neighbourhood while maintaining physical distancing guidelines.

If you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, you and your children can still go outside to exercise, but stay close to your home.

If you or your family are self-isolating, you can still be physically active around your home.