How to Talk to Your Child About Natural Disasters

How to Talk to Your Child About Natural Disasters

1. Explore your child's thoughts. If they ask a question on a recent event inquire further. Find out what they know and how they feel about it. Don't assume.

2. Validate their feelings. For example, " I can see that you feel scared.”This will encourage your child to talk to you in the future about their feelings and let them know it's okay to have these feelings. Statements like "don't feel scared" do not stop a child from having fears - that is about you not them.

3. Follow up with a reason why they do not need to feel scared, such as "Parents and schools have plans to keep kids safe, it rarely happens here."

4. If appropriate it is helpful to get concrete. For example, "Mom has lived here for 30 years which is 10950 days and we have never had an earthquake in all those days."

5. Keep explanations simple.

6. Offer a way for your child to help such as gathering clothes or food to send to those in need - or offer a volunteer experience close to home where your child can feel helpful.

HOW TO CREATE AN EASIER TRANSITION BACK TO SCHOOL

                                                                                                                               

                

It’s that time of year again…                          

HOW TO CREATE AN EASIER TRANSITION BACK TO SCHOOL

1.       

      One or two weeks before school begins return to your evening and morning routines.This will better prepare your child for their first day when they have to wake earlier.

2.     

      Back to School Shopping. Engage your child in back to school shopping for supplies, a backpack, or their first day outfit. By including them in supply shopping you can help excite them for the beginning of the year.

3.      

      If your child is nervous set up a preschool meeting with school staff and if possible their teacher.

4.    

      Meet with any school staff necessary prior to school such as school nurse or social worker if your child has any medical concerns.

5.     

      If it’s your child’s first year, your child is nervous, or you just want to get back into the routine practice a few days before preparing for school. For example, wake up at your normal school day time, have breakfast, even pick up the backpack and drive to school. Instead of going to class perhaps walk through the school and spend some time playing on the playground or have a picnic.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Tragedy in the News

1. Explore your child's thoughts. If they ask a question inquire further. Find out what they know and how they feel about it - don't assume. Kids talk and have great imaginations - check in with what they know.

2. Validate your child's feelings with statements such as, " It was a scary event." Statements such as "Don't worry about it, you don't need to feel scared, or "get over it" are not helpful.
 
3. The news can make events that are uncommon feel as though they happen everyday everywhere affecting a child's sense of safety. Talk to your child about the news, how they focus on such events, and remind your child such disasters are not as common as the news may make it sound.
 
4. Get concrete. Talk numbers. For example, how many people go to the movies everyday, how many movie theaters there are in the world, how many times your child has been to the movies and has been safe, how many times you have been to the movies and have been safe. Remind your child they are safe and why.
 
5. Keep explanations simple and age appropriate. For children under the age of seven - shield their exposure to the news.
 
6. Check in with your teens. With technology today it is quit likely they have been exposed to information regarding the disaster. Talk to them.
 
7. Invite your child to get involved in a volunteer project to help others. This is a great tool in helping deal with disasters.