Virtual Story Time

Published: 2020
By Ardis Oelkers

Storybook reading is a great way to connect with children during stressful events. Using children’s literature in an interactive way may help parents and caregivers understand children’s experiences and improve their coping skills. The Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent was invited as a guest reader for the Culbertson Public Library Virtual Story Time and read the book "What is Coronavirus?" by Christine Borst, PhD, LMFT. This book gives a simple explanation of the coronavirus and the disease of COVID-19 and provides suggestions for things children can do while they are practicing physical distancing. A reading guide accompanies the book and provides adults with suggested activities and probing questions to help children personally connect with the experiences of the characters in the book. The book suggested to children to keep their body healthy by drinking lots of water, eating a rainbow of foods and getting a good night’s sleep. The book also elaborates that doctors and scientists are learning more about the coronavirus every day and that children don’t need to worry about this because it is the job of the grown-ups. The book also suggests to journal and write down feelings and to draw or color a picture for others. Hopefully a few of the 580 families that viewed the Facebook post related with this virtual storybook and it helps children and families through the stressful pandemic.