Helping Children Cope with Trauma

Some advice from the experts

 

  1. Be calm and reassuring when discussing traumatic events with a child. Your demeanor will either calm or alarm them.

 

  1. Turn off the TV.  Overexposure to the media can be traumatizing.  If your older children are watching the news, be sure to watch with them, and be ready to discuss their fears.

 

  1. Be aware that your child's age will affect his or her response.  Adolescents in particular may be hard hit by these kinds of events.  Obtaining counseling for a child or adolescent soon after a disaster may reduce long-term effects.

 

  1. You should acknowledge to your children that the event is upsetting to you. Calmly express your emotions, but remember that a composed demeanor will provide a greater sense of security for your child.

 

  1. Give your children extra time and attention now, and plan to spend more time with your children in the following months.

 

  1. Let your children ask questions, talk about what happened, and express their feelings.

 

  1. Play with children who can't talk yet to help them work out their fears and respond to the atmosphere around them.

 

  1. Keep regular schedules for activities such as eating, playing and going to bed to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.

 

  1. Consider how you and your child can help. Explain how financial donations can help the victims and together select a charity and an amount to send. Allow them to participate in community events like memorials or religious observances. Children are better able to regain their sense of power and security if they feel they can help in some way. Involve them in developing a family safety plan, a home fire drill, or collecting items for a family disaster preparedness kit.

 

 

 

RESOURCES FOR TALKING WITH CHILDREN ABOUT TRAUMATIC EVENTS

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The following websites have useful information for parents, teachers and caregivers:

 

San Jose State Collaborative for Disaster Mitigation:

information on dealing with children’s earthquake fears that applies to other traumatic events. This brochure is available in a variety of languages.

http://www.sjsu.edu/cdm/projects/index.html

 

American Academy of Pediatrics:

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/disastercomm.htm

 

American Psychological Association:

http://helping.apa.org/therapy/traumaticstress.html - children

 

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:

http://www.aacap.org/

 

National Association of School Psychologists 

http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/crisis_0911.html

 

How to Talk to Your Children About the News- go to “Tips for Parents” and look for the “Dealing with a Terrorist Tragedy” near the bottom.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/news.html