| Meeting the Child's Emotional
Needs
Children usually take their lead in
a situation by reading the emotions of adults. Adults
should share their true feelings about the incident,
but maintain a sense of calm for the child's sense of
well-being.
Listen to what the child is saying.
If a young child is asking questions about the event,
answer them simply without the elaboration needed for
an older child or adult. If a child has difficulty expressing
feelings, allow the child to draw a picture or tell
a story of what happened.
- Try to understand what is causing anxieties and
fears. Be aware that following a disaster, children
are most afraid that-
- The event will happen again
- They will be separated from the family
- They will be left alone
REASSURE CHILDREN WITH COMPASSION
AND UNDERSTANDING.
Suggestions to help:
- Hug and touch your children.
- Calmly and firmly provide factual information about
the recent disaster.
- Encourage your children to talk about their feelings.
Be honest about your own.
- Spend extra time with your children at bedtime.
- Re-establish a schedule for work, play, meals and
rest.
- Involve your children by giving them specific chores
to help them feel they are helping to restore family
and community life.
- Encourage your children to help develop a family
disaster plan.
- Make sure your children know what to do when they
hear smoke detectors, fire alarms, and local community
warning systems such as horns or sirens.
- Praise and recognize responsible behavior.
- Understand that your children will need to mourn
their own losses.
You've tried to create a reassuring
environment. If your children do not respond when you
follow the suggestions listed above, seek help from
an appropriate professional such as the child's primary
care physician, a mental health provider specializing
in children's needs or a member of the clergy.
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