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THE BIG QUESTION:

HOW CAN I HELP MY KIDS COPE
AS THEY WAIT FOR THE
COVID-19 VACCINE?

Sunday, July 11, 2021

PHOTOGRAPH BY WESTEND61 / GETTY IMAGES

By Laura Goertzel, KIDS and FAMILY Digital Director

When the grandparents recently came for a long-overdue visit, my 10-year-old son was quick to point out that he’s the only one in the whole group who’s not vaccinated. He felt like the family baby, even though he’s in the double digits. Worse yet, his BFF and his sister are both 12 and fully vaccinated, free to roam the neighborhood like it’s the summer of 2019. Meanwhile, my son is forced to follow along with his mask firmly in place.

I know that for kids not yet old enough to get vaccinated, the fear of missing out on the shot—and the freedom it can bring—is real. It’s so real that some parents of 11-year-olds have confessed to lying about their ages so they’d be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. I don’t agree with that strategy, but I can certainly understand. (Tell us how your under-12-year-old is dealing with the wait.)

The developmental level of tweens might have something to do with the differing attitudes toward the so-close-yet-so-far situation they’re in as they await vaccine approval. Adolescence generally means increased independence—more time with friends and less time with parents. But as my kids would say: No offense, but maybe unvaccinated tweens are just fed up with so much family time. (Here’s how to help them deal with a bit too much together-time.)

Luckily, my boy is patiently waiting for his turn to be jabbed and is focusing on the things he can do, like eating at outdoor restaurants and jumping on the neighbor’s trampoline. (Nat Geo’s Vicky Hallett says that’s actually a good strategy; here are some other ideas to help the under-12 crowd deal with a second COVID-19 summer.) He's definitely going to be excited for the day when he can follow his older sister around a lot more closely—though I’m not sure how excited his sister’s going to be about that!

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Baby shark. Fear can serve humans well— think avoiding a growling dog or not jumping into a raging river. But other fears are unfounded and can put a damper on kids’ curiosity. Take being afraid of a shark attack: You’re more likely to be killed by a cow! To help kids overcome this fear, marine biologist Jasmin Graham suggests starting early. “In my experience, when young kids see a shark for the first time, if it happens early on, then there’s no inherent fear,” Graham says. “They’re interested, and they don’t freak out about it.” Shark-themed personality quizzes, funny videos (like the music video above), and the Nat Geo Kids Ultimate Book of Sharks can help create fascination and inquisitiveness rather than fear and loathing. Families can also check out SharkFest on National Geographic for age-appropriate shows that introduce kids to these awesome creatures.

DIY OF THE WEEK

PHOTOGRAPH BY SHANNON HIBBERD

Tree explorer. This week, the Planet Possible Family Challenge asked kids to create a birdsong maker with cardboard tubes so they could explore the tree canopy and the critters that live there. Activities like making kissing sounds though the tube can attract birds to nearby trees to help them discover the importance of the microhabitat, then gives children ideas on how to protect it. Check back next week for Challenge 7: constructing a mini-boat to explore waterways.

Family discussion: As we head into the laziest days of summer, ask your kids about the creative ways they've found to entertain themselves. “When my kids complain they’re bored, I tell them I’m glad to hear it, that it’s good for their brains,” says Shannon Barnett, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. “Boredom gives them an opportunity to be creative and problem-solve.” Learn what’s going on in the brains of bored kids and how to do boredom right.

TRAINING THE EXPLORERS OF TOMORROW

Led by National Geographic Explorers, your kids can dive into the wonder around them when they join the National Geographic Live Explorer Academy Adventures, an 11-week summer series of engaging activities and themed missions.

TRY THIS: BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR KIDS

PHOTOGRAPH BY ADISA / ADOBE STOCK

French connection: Wednesday is Bastille Day, the national holiday that honors the rebellion that sparked the French Revolution in 1789. The French celebrate with parades, picnics, and pyrotechnics. You can mark the day by learning about the country’s people and culture, or taking a “tour” of its most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower. Then check out fun facts about Thomas Jefferson, one of the first U.S. diplomats to France (he’s credited with introducing french fries to these shores!), or learn about celebrated French heroine Joan of Arc, who was just a teen when she helped lead a revolution against England in 1429. Just for fun, have kids take this personality quiz to see which hero or heroine they’re most like!

Work with real scientists! With citizen science, kids can conduct independent research and send their findings off to actual scientists. Citizen science is a communal observation method in which scientists and everyday people work together to answer important questions with data. Whether you’re counting birds from the backyard, listening to frog calls at the lake or classifying galaxies on a laptop, your kids can join in! Visit our citizen science library to get started.

This newsletter was edited and curated by Laura Goertzel, with Monica Williams. Have a healthy and a sane (as possible) week ahead!

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