School district offers suggestions for helping children cope with traumatic events
Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events
Suggestions for Parents and Teachers
March 27, 2003
From the WCCUSD School Psychology, Comprehensive School Health,
and Communications departments
We in the school community are being impacted at this time by both
world/national and local/state events that may be causing emotional
reactions of fear of loss, concern for the future, anxiety, anger,
worry, and other emotions. These emotional reactions are compounded by
the feelings of lack of control over the situations.
In these difficult times, we should keep in mind the three cardinal
principles of offering crisis intervention: Remember TLC—
• Tell the truth, no matter how difficult or distressing it may be,
keeping in mind age-level differences in ability to process
information. Painful truth is easier to deal with than scary fantasy.
Avoid euphemisms for stark realities, especially for young children who
need direct language. Realize that sometimes we do not have answers for
some questions.
• Listen, no matter what is said or what opinions are expressed.
Acknowledge the feelings being expressed and offer emotional support.
• Be Careful to respect other people’s values, opinions, religious and
cultural beliefs. If asked what you personally believe, fall back on
telling the truth.
In regard specifically to the war and the threat of terrorism, do
not deny or make light of your children’s fears and anxiety. Attempt to
reduce these fears and anxiety using the following steps:
• Limit television watching of the war, especially for younger children.
• Maintain as much normal routine as possible.
• Strive to remain calm and reassuring. Children will take their cues
from you, especially young children. Be a good role model for your
children in how you are attempting to cope with the situations. Admit
and discuss your own feelings as calmly as possible. If your emotions
show, so be it. You are human.
• Answer questions with simple, accurate, and truthful information
without dwelling on morbid or gruesome detail. Share information that
is appropriate to their age and developmental level.
• Allow full expression of feelings and fears. Use drawing, play or
other non-verbal mediums.
• Allow also for expression and open discussion of opinions about the
war and the local situation. Assist your children in gathering
information and finding appropriate outlets for their opinions. For
in-class discussions about difficult issues, and particularly when
emotions are running high, smaller group discussions may be more
appropriate.
• Listen and empathize. Let them know that others may feel the same way
and that their reactions are normal and expected.
• Reassure children that you will do everything you can to make them as
safe as possible.
• Remind children of their abilities and competencies. Discuss how they
and other children have coped in difficult times.
• Provide extra attention and physical comfort if possible. The
physical comfort from your children will assist you as well.
Don’t forget that emotions are powerful influences on the body and
may be expressed in lack of appetite, physical ailments, sleep
disorders, etc., as well as by regression to younger behavior (clinging,
thumb-sucking, bed-wetting), lack of concentration, depression and
inability to carry out normal routines, excessive emotional outbursts,
etc. Be prepared for such reactions in yourself and others and be as
non-judgmental as possible.
> Do ask for help from your friends and family, including your school
community.
> Do take action in helping others.
> Do participate with your children in enjoyable activities to foster a
sense of normalcy.
> Do use books (bibliotherapy) to assist you. The School Psychology
Department (741-2813) has a small lending library of books on grief and
loss issues, mainly appropriate for young children. These books are
available for teachers to borrow to use in their classrooms.
There are also many reputable web-sites with a wealth of helpful
information and suggestions for these troubled times. Some of these
recommended sites are as follows:
http://www.childrennow.org (Children Now)
http://www.kff.org (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation)
http://www.nasponline.org (National Association of School
Psychologists)
http://www.ncptsd.org/facts/specifc/fs_children.html (National Center
for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
http://www.pbs.org/parents/issuesadvice/war/index.html (Public
Broadcasting System)
http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/facingfear (Red Cross)
http://www.talkingwithkids.org (from Orange County Department of
Education)
http://www.tolerance.org/parents/index.jsp (Teaching Tolerance)
http://www.wright.edu/sopp/cps/TraumaticStress.html (American
Psychological Association)
http://smhp.psych/ucla.edu/qf/p2107_01.htm (UCLA)
West Contra Costa Unified School District:
School Psychologists: (510) 741-2813
Comprehensive School Health: (510) 307-5353
Communications: (510) 234-3825, ext. 2246
Run dates: 2003-03-27 - 2003-04-12 |
