How to Help Children Cope with a Crisis

Here are ten tips Save the Children recommends for parents, teachers, grandparents and caregivers to provide comfort and understanding to children:

• Limit TV time.
  While it’s important for adults to stay informed about the disaster, TV images and reports may be confusing and frightening for children. Watching too many reports of the disaster can overwhelm children.
• Listen to your children.
  See what they know – or understand – about the disaster before responding to their questions. Children can experience stress when they don’t understand dangerous experiences. Try to identify your children’s fear of disasters. Then, talk to them to help ease their concerns.
• Give children reassurance.
  Let them know that that adults are doing everything they can to protect them. Be sure they know that if an emergency occurs, their safety is your main concern. Children should know they’re being protected.
• Be alert for significant changes in behavior.
  Caregivers should be alert to any significant changes in children’s sleeping patterns, eating habits, and concentration levels. Also watch for wide emotional swings or frequent physical complaints. If any of these actions do happen, they will likely lessen within a short time. If they continue, however, you should seek professional help and counseling for the child.
• Understand children’s unique needs.
  Not every child will experience a disaster in the same way. As children develop, their intellectual, physical and emotional abilities change. Younger children will depend largely on their parents to interpret events. Older children and adolescents will get information from various sources, such as friends and the media. Remember that children of any age can be affected by a disaster. Provide them all with love, understanding and support.
• Give your children extra time and attention.
  Children need attention to know they are safe. Talk, play and, most importantly, listen to them. Find time to engage in special activities with children of all ages.
• Be a model for your children.
  Your children will learn how to deal with these events by seeing how you respond. The amount you tell children about how you’re feeling should depend on the age and maturity of the child. You may be able to disclose more to older or more mature children but remember to do so calmly.
• Watch your own behavior.
  Make a point of being sensitive to those impacted by the disaster. This is an opportunity to teach your children that we all need to help each other.
• Help your children return to a normal routine.
  Children usually benefit from routine activities such as set eating times, bedtime, and playing with others. Find out you’re your children’s school is will return to normal hours. Ask teachers or counselors how much time will be dedicated to discussing the disaster in an age-appropriate way.
• Involve children in volunteer work.
  Helping others can give children a sense of control and security and promote helping behavior. Include children in volunteer activities (once it is safe to do so). Helping people who are in need can bring about a positive outlook.

Source: Save the Children, 10 Tips for Helping Children Cope with Disaster, https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/help-children-cope-with-disaster| © 2022 Save the Children. Updated May 2022.

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