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Article #337: A Child's Cry: 10 Ways to Help Children Deal When Worldwide Tragedy Hits

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Worldwide tragedy, such as earthquakes, special needs, emotional sensitivity, or
terrorist attacks, and typhoons can past trauma. Be there for your child and
create fear, distrust, and confusion know that even if your child is not
among children as well as adults. showing outward signs of grief, s/he may
Questions may ensue such as "will this still need your help.
happen to me?" and "are we safe?" (7) Keep your normal routine: If
It's normal for children, just like possible, try to keep your children's
parents and educators, to feel confused schedule consistant." Children are
and scared. As a Child Development comforted by predictability. However, if
Expert, adults come to me to find out your child needs some time with you or
what they can do and if they're doing isn't sleeping, be flexible.
enough to help young people during this (8) Be honest: Be truthful about the
trying time. While many parents may facts of the event, of course, only as is
shield their children from the news, appropriate for their developmental
information can easily seep out through level. Children don't need to know all
friends and the media. It's important for the gory detailsthis will only serve to
parents and educators to be available and make them more scared and confused.
ready. However, don't pretend or lie. Stick to
Here are some things to remember: the facts and don't exaggerate or
(1) Stay calm: Children are looking to speculate. Children are very perceptive
you to see how to react. By staying calm and need to know that they can trust you
and in control, children will feel more to tell them the truth.
safe and secure. (9) Partner with your children's school:
(2) Be available: Your children may need Find out what resources are available to
you to simply "be there" to listen or sit the children during the school day if
with them. Sometimes the most powerful they're feeling scared or unsure. If a
parenting takes place when we say nothing personal tragedy happened, make sure the
at all. guidance counselor and your child's
(3) Reassure them: Make sure that the teacher knows about it. Spending time in
children know that the adults are taking school can be a comfort for your children
care of the problem and working hard to as they can spend time with friends and
take care of the people who are hurt or teachers as well as with professional
lost. counselors, if needed.
(4) Let them know that they're safe: If (10) Limit the media onslaught: The best
you know that your children and your people to talk to your children about
family members are indeed safe, be sure these tragic events are trusted family
to let your children know. If this is not and educators. Don't make the media your
accurate information and safety is still child's teacher when it comes to learning
in question, don't lie. Reassure your about these disasters. The media often
children that the adults in charge are talks about high death tolls and shows
doing everything they can do to keep gruesome pictures that are not
everyone as safe as possible. developmentally appropriate for children
(5) Comfort them: Allow them to cry, to see. If you want your children to know
question, and show concern. Don't shrug the facts, as appropriate, talk to them
them off and tell them to "stop yourself.
worrying." This does not help. Tell them Lastly, your children (and you) may feel
it's OK to be scared or sad and that better by taking action. Children want to
you're available to them if they want to show their compassion and charity. In
talk or just be together. times of tragedy, they may not be able to
(6) Be observant: All children won't help directly but they can send letters,
express their concern, grief, or fear draw pictures, write poems, send food or
outwardly. You know your child. Sometimes supplies or donate some of their
your child will become very quiet or lose allowance to help relief efforts. This
their appetite when something tragic kind of action can be incredibly helpful
happens. Some children will be more to children as well as those who are in
likely to have a reactionperhaps due to need.






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