Our preschoolers have very limited world views.
When they hear news about frightening world events such as the tsunami in Japan, it is important to remind ourselves how to help our children.
The emotional effects of watching such a catastrophe can be tremendous. Children and teens can feel especially helpless when they see these images of the devastation, including homeless and injured Japanese children and orphans on the news. Kids absorb worry and sadness from their parents, or from classmates who have family ties in Japan.
One of the difficulties experienced by parents is that they have not had adequate time to deal with their own reactions when they are called upon to deal with the impact on their children.
Emotional reactions vary in nature and severity from child to child. Their responses to a disaster are determined by age, previous experiences, temperament and personality, as well as the immediacy of the disaster to their own lives.
If you know a child who is showing signs of stress, worry or fear that maybe related to the Japanese earthquake and its aftermath - such as stomachaches, sleeplessness, bedwetting, or moodiness - I'd like to offer some ideas about how to help kids comprehend and deal with such a catastrophe.
* Tips to Help a Child Cope
* How Kids Can Help Japan Right Now
and
* How Kids Can Help When The Crisis Has Calmed, But Donations Are Still Needed
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