HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH DISASTER
The vulnerability and disbelief we've experienced
through recent events have resulted in a worldwide
loss. Who could have ever imagined that nature
could attack our friends, loved ones or neighbors
with such horrific force? Individuals, families
and pets displaced with no homes to return to,
lack of food and medical supplies, most worldly
supplies gone forever. How do you help your
child make sense of such devastation? What do
we tell the children? How do we respond to their
questions about their safety and the unpredictability
of nature?
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, all
children are likely to ask many questions. Before
answering any questions, find out what your
child knows and what they may have seen on TV.
Keep in mind that children's reactions depend
on many different things including their exposure
to the media, conversations with peers, their
age, personality and coping style.
Expect that your child may be scared, worried
or very concerned about their future and your
ability to keep them safe. While these reactions
are certainly normal, children need you to reassure
them that this type of event is extremely rare.
Remain calm when talking to your child. Remember,
it is ok to show your feelings, but try to control
the intensity of your emotions.
Here are some ways to help your child cope
during difficult times:
- Let children know that they
are safe. Reassure them that you and other
adults will be there to take care of them.
- Discuss events in easy to
understand, age-appropriate terms.
- Limit exposure to TV and
news in print. Additional trauma could occur,
especially through special news reports. Be
aware that children may be listening to adult
conversations and phone calls, as well as
the TV after bedtime.
- Show your emotions and share
your feelings of anxiety. It's important for
adults to model safe expressions of feelings
and let children see that they can still function
during and after stressful events. This teaches
them to cope in a healthy way by not keeping
their feeling inside.
- Inquire about how your
child is feeling, but do not perseverant.
Clarify misconceptions surrounding current
events by asking them what they think, what
other children think and what they are learning
about these events in school. If they do want
to talk, give them your full attention and
listen carefully.
- Recognize how you behave
around your children. They will pick up on
your feelings and your mood and may imitate
how you act.
- Don't assume that if your
child is not showing any symptoms of distress
that they are fine. Children naturally deal
with crisis, trauma and grief sporadically.
They may be confused and they may need permission
and encouragement to talk about their feelings.
- Maintain regular schedules
and routines. Recognize that other losses
such as moving, divorce, dealing with illness,
recent death and dramatic changes in routine
can make current events even more stressful.
- Try to give children the
message that the world is still a safe and
fun place. Reassure children about the future
in hopeful ways. Let them plan activities
and special family events for next week, next
month, etc…
- Younger children may incorporate
excessive hurricane related themes through
play. Give them opportunities to practice
being in control with puppets, rescue worker
toy people and vehicles or with toys in the
pool or bathtub.
- Talk with older children
about your beliefs in reaching out to help
others in need. Help them find ways to get
involved in relief efforts.
- Involve your family in
religious or community efforts of help and
hope. Encourage children to draw pictures
or write letters to express themselves or
to offer hope to hurricane victims.
- Most importantly, take care
of yourself so that you can take care of your
children. Talk with other adults about your
fears, take time to nurture yourself, eat
healthy and get plenty of rest.
HELPFUL LINKS
Helping Children Cope with the Effects if
Hurricane Katrina: Tips for Parents and Other
Caregivers
http://www.aboutourkids.org/aboutour/articles/katrina_helping_children_cope.html
American Academy of
Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/
Recommended Resources and Books from Sesame
Workshop
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/hurricane-katrina/
American Counseling
Association
http://www.counseling.org/hurricane/resources.htm
Helping Children when
Catastrophe Strikes- Bright Horizons Family
Solutions, Jim Greenman
http://www.brighthorizons.com/talktochildren/docs/Hurricane_Katrina_Greenman_Letter.pdf
Helping Children through
Turbulent Times- Jim Greenman
http://www.brighthorizons.com/talktochildren/docs/whathapp.pdf
How to Help Kids Cope
with Disaster-Ten Tips from Save the Children
http://www.savethechildren.org/emergencies/usa/ten_tips_kids_hurricane.asp
Information on Hurricanes
and How to Stay Safe
http://www.familyeducation.com/topic/front/0,1156,1-33374,00.html
RAINBOWS- An international,
not-for-profit organization that fosters emotional
healing among children grieving a loss from
a life-altering crisis.
http://www.rainbows.org/rainbows.html
Children and Loss-
Dr. Bruce Perry
http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/childrenloss.htm
National Mental Health
Association
http://www.nmha.org/katrina/index.cfm
The Amelia Center-
A place of hope for grieving children, parents
and families
http://www.ameliacenter.org/images/Tragedy/HCCAT.pdf
Caring for Kids after
Trauma and Death- The New York University Child
Study Center
http://www.aboutourkids.org/aboutour/articles/crisis_guide02.pdf
DONATE
A PORTION OF OUR PROCEEDS TO 
