Natural disasters, like earthquakes, hurricanes or floods, can happen quickly without warning. They can force children to abandon their homes, schools and regular routines. Children look to the adult caregivers, such as teachers or parents, for insight into how they should react to the disaster. While you might be reeling from the disaster as well, it is important to provide calm and consistent guidance to your child. By staying close to your child and offering comfort and reassurance, you can help your child understand and deal with the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Step 1
Talk to your child about the natural disaster. The National Association of School Psychologists recommends staying calm and reassuring while opening a dialogue with your child about the event. Acknowledge the loss, but focus on relief and aid efforts in the community.
Step 2
Build a supportive network consisting of peers, family members and members of the community. The National Association of School Psychologists suggests that children with solid emotional support can often cope with adversity more capably than those who feel isolated or alone.
Step 3
Provide a consistent daily routine. The American Red Cross indicates that a disruption of regular routines can make children anxious. Following your family's regular routines as much as possible---including meal times, bedtimes and other family rituals---can provide your child with a sense of continuity and structure.
Step 4
Limit his exposure to TV and adult conversations about the disaster. If you do decide to let him watch some media reports, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend watching with him so you can talk about what he sees and help him process his feelings about the disaster and its effect on your family.
Step 5
Seek professional help for your child if he exhibits any significant changes in his behavior, such as aggressive or delinquent behavior, nightmares about the disaster or an inability to concentrate. The National Association of School Psychologists suggests that these symptoms can indicate he might suffer from a serious mental condition like post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.
Tips and Warnings
- Empower your child by letting her take an active role in disaster recovery efforts. Help her put together a bake sale or lemonade stand so she can donate the proceeds to relief efforts.
- Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, vice president of Research and Education, and Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, vice president for Outreach and Educational Practices, who are both also from the nonprofit Sesame Workshop, caution that many children express feelings through action instead of words---making it crucial that you watch for ongoing changes in their behavior, such as clinginess or hyperactivity, after the disaster.
References
- NASP Resources: Helping Children After a Natural Disaster: Information for Parents and Teachers
- Sesame Workshop: Helping Children Understand Natural Disasters
- Red Cross: Prepare Your Home and Family For a Disaster
- NIMH: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do
- CDC: Helping Parents Cope with Disasters
