| Resources for Helping Children Cope | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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After
the 9/11/01 Terrorist Attacks from About.com |
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The impact of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon is just sinking in. A tragedy of this magnitude is almost impossible for adults to comprehend, much less children. How do we talk to our children about it? Should we? If so, what can we expect? Are there behaviors or reactions to which we should pay particular attention. After seeking the advice of professionals, being involved in discussions with educators, and observing children's reactions, I began to develop a list of web sites I think you will find helpful. In addition to the sites discussed below, you will find resources in the linkbox to your right Scholastic's
"America Under Attack"
More Resources for Parents and Teachers One of the resources I found particularly helpful in answering the question, "How much are children ready to know?" was "Telling Children About 'Bullies.'" The article, from The Poynter Institute, is based on an interview with Kim Walton, a clinical nurse specialist in child and adolescent mental health, who serves as the director of Youth Service Hospital in indianapolis. According to Walton,
The article includes advice on dealing with children of various ages.
Here are some other sites you might find
useful: Two
Immediate Concerns The rage and hurt resulting from the attacks have already resulted in some acts of intolerance against Arabs and Muslims in the United States. It is important that you help your children to understand that even if people from a particular ethnic or religious background do turn out to have committed the attacks, that certainly does not make everyone of that ethnic or religious background the enemy. If your children have Middle Eastern neighbors or schoolmates, those children may be particularly in need of kindness and friendship right now. To those of you who lost loved ones in the attacks, my deepest sympathy.
Dealing with America's tragedy, what do we tell our Keiki? ( Excerpts taken from page sponsored by Tutu's House ) A number of articles have been printed recently about what to say to your children about the recent tragedy in America. Though the authors of these articles may have differed, each article offered similar advice on how adults can help young children cope with the continuing flow of information and images. Following is a round-up of some of the strategies with children about the attacks on America and the aftermath. This is a very difficult time for all of us. As we are expected to answer questions for our children that we not have answered for ourselves. The most important thing is to reassure your children about their safety and the safety of those they love. It is important to tell the truth. Use words that children can understand and give as much information as the child requests. It is O.K. to acknowledge that bad things happen. Help children feel secure by telling them that we adults will do our best to keep them safe and care for their needs. Try to keep yourself, your children and your family to as normal a routine as possible. Knowing what to expect comforts children and helps to re-establish their feelings of security. Young children take their cues from the familiar adults in their lives. It is important for you to be strong for your children. The worst thing for them to feel is that you are out of control. Be a good listener. Let children express their feelings and ask questions. Answer them factually and respond only to information requested by the child rather than over-explaining a fact or detail. Parents may want to ask their children what they have heard. Dr. Jim Jolliff, a child psychologist in Waimea, also suggests correcting any gross misconceptions children may have. Listening to peer exaggerate the events may create a heightened fear in a young child. Pay attention to non-verbal cues as well. Watch for changes in children's behavior or play. Some children may become sullen while others may act out things they've heard. Reassure your children with verbal reminders that you will do everything you can to keep them safe or simply hold your child. Your goal as a parent is to be reassuring, understanding and accepting of your child's feelings. Balance the scary things that have happened with the good things people are doing for each other. Focus on the helpers - the firefighters, the people who helped others, the people donating food to the rescue workers, the thousands who have donated blood, and the hero's. Limit children's viewing of the tragedy. Don't watch news casts of the tragedy when your children are around. It's more important to spend quality time with them when you're together. Children may need extra physical contact. They may be clingy, want you to sit with them until they fall asleep or display regressive behaviors like bed wetting, thumb sucking or wanting to be carried. Do whatever feels comfortable for both of you, but be sure you are calm since yourchild can pick up emotional cues. from physical contact with you. Encourage activities that help children release their tension. Playing with sand, water, clay or playdough can be relaxing as well as therapeutic. Outdoor physical activities can also provide outlets for release of emotions. Remember, the main goal in talking to our children is to help them feel the world is a safe place.
Does the pre-school help children develop breadth of
experience through outings (e.g. to parks, fire
station, post office, beaches etc.) Does the school
have sufficient space for play, and preferably
outdoor space with adequate equipment. Do children
have access to paint, clay, music.
Tips for Elementary School Students · Be sure your child knows his or her home phone number (including area code) and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult, and how to use 911 for emergencies. Make sure your child has enough change to make a phone call or that they carry a telephone calling card. · Plan a safe walking route to school or the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossing and use intersections with crossing guards, if possible. Test the route with your child. Share with your child to stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields, and other places where there aren’t many people around, and any other information about stranger safety. · Teach children - - whether walking, biking, or riding the school bus - - to obey all traffic signals, signs, traffic officers, and safety patrols. · Make sure they walk to and from school with others - a friend, neighbor, brother, sister.
Other Resources
Talking to Children about Violence and World Events
http://pbskids.org/rogers/parents/sept11.htm
Click here for the Parent Education Website |
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