A Board Game for Making the Conversation Easier
While parents and guardians across the country have had to talk about COVID-19 with their children already, many children still have questions, concerns, and apprehensions. How do we talk with them about this, especially when news is changing every day and we don’t know when or how this is going to go away? And how do we take care of ourselves and others emotionally when we are cut off from the support networks of our friends and relatives, and our best-case-scenario is working from home while supervising online schooling and being a daycare provider all at the same time?
There are no clear and definitive answers to these questions, but there are opportunities for discussion. Every family must decide for themselves how best to establish and maintain a household routine, keep the kids active, keep them engaged in their schoolwork, and manage their questions and fears about COVID-19 and how it will affect our futures. Talking together as a family helps, such as a family meeting or a conversation around the dinner table.
Another option is to play a board game; Look Both Ways! Is a new board game developed by Jim Anderson, MS LP, a child psychologist at Cashman Center. This board game is designed to be a fun, free, and informative guide for talking to kids about coronavirus and COVID-19 during this time of apprehension and ongoing change. It is intended to be used as a family activity, including parents, guardians, or other caring adults who are there to facilitate the discussion.
The game uses the metaphor of a walk around the neighborhood, and the caution taken when crossing streets. Looking both ways first doesn’t mean that crossing the street is always deadly, it means we are watchful and cautious so we can cross safely. The same goes for wearing face-masks and sheltering in place; we are simply being watchful and cautious to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the virus.
Look Both Ways! is for two to four players, ages five and up. Players draw cards as they travel around the board, discuss a dozen questions and answers about coronavirus, learn about a dozen fun activities for kids and families, and have the chance to share their own thoughts and experiences.
Click on the two links below to download the PDF files. One is the board game and cards, and should be printed in color and two-sided, and the other is the directions/discussion guide and can be printed one-sided in black and white.
Click HERE to download the Look Both Ways! game.
Click HERE to download the game directions and instructions.
