Children Disaster Reassurance

While disasters may cause apprehension for adults, they often affect children more seriously. Children may grow uneasy when they don't know what to expect. They may be especially upset if they have to leave their home and daily routine. You can help children cope by understanding what causes their anxieties and fears. 

Consider the following tips to help children better cope with disaster:

• Children are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress after a disaster and may exhibit excessive fear of the dark, crying, fear of being alone and constant worry. Reassure children that they are safe.
• Encourage them to talk about their fears, emphasize that they are not responsible for what happened, and comfort them.
• Before and during an emergency, make sure that at least one adult will be with children.
• Give children guidance that will help them reduce their fears. Children depend on daily routines. They wake up, eat breakfast, go to school, and play with friends. When emergencies or disasters interrupt this routine, children may become anxious, confused, or frightened. They'll look to you and other adults for help.
• How you react to an emergency gives children clues on how to act. If you react with alarm, a child may become more scared. They see fear as proof that the danger is real. If you seem overcome with a sense of loss, a child may feel their losses more strongly. Children's fears also may stem from their imagination, and you should take these feelings seriously. A child who feels afraid is afraid.
• Your words and actions can provide reassurance. When talking with your child, present a realistic picture that is both honest and manageable. Feelings of fear are healthy and natural for adults and children. As an adult, you need to concentrate on your child's emotional needs by asking the child what's uppermost in his or her mind. Be aware that in an emergency, children are most afraid that someone will be injured or killed, they will be separated from the family, or they will be left alone.
• Calmly and firmly explain the situation. As best as you can, tell children what you know about a potential disaster. Explain what will happen next. Get down to the child's eye level and talk to him or her.
• Encourage children to talk. Let children talk about the disaster and ask as many questions as they want. Encourage children to describe what they're feeling. Listen to what they say. If possible, include the entire family in the discussion.