Helping Children Cope with Trauma by the American Counseling Association (ACA)
 

After a disaster, children are most afraid that the event will recur, that they or someone they love will be hurt or killed, or
that they may be separated from those they love and be left alone. Here are ways that you can help children cope with
trauma:
1. Allow children to express their feelings about what has happened. Share your own feelings with them.
2. Reassure children, repeatedly, that they are safe and that they are loved.
3. Be honest with children about what has occurred and provide facts about what happened. Children usually know
when something is being sugar-coated. Details should be age-appropriate, but don’t try to hide the main facts.
4. Help children return to a normal routine as soon as possible.
5. Spend extra time with your child, especially doing something fun or relaxing for both of you.
6. Remember the importance of touch. A hug can reassure children that they are loved. Several hugs are even better.
7. Review family safety procedures to help children feel prepared the next time an emergency situation occurs.
8. Talk with teachers, babysitters, day care providers, and others who may be with your children so they understand
how the children have been affected and how the children are reacting to the events.
9. Watch for signs of repetitive play in which children reenact all or part of the disaster. Such play may be the child’s
way of showing how deeply the event has affected the child.
10. Praise and recognize responsible behavior and reassure children that their feelings are normal in response to an
abnormal situation.
11. If children seem deeply affected by an event, and don’t seem to respond to the positive actions described above,
seek professional assistance by talking to a school counselor, your community mental health group or a counselor.

How to lessen children's fears

To help lessen children's fears, FEMA lists these disaster facts for children:
1. Disasters don't last very long.
2. You can get a new routine even if you cannot go home for a while.
3. Look to your parents or other adults for help when you feel scared.
4. It is OK to feel scared.
5. Sometimes it helps to write or draw pictures about what has happened.
6. It is OK to cry.
7. You may be able to help others.

Experts say that when facing a natural disaster, helping children find a task,
even at evacuation centers, will help them feel more in control. It is the little
things that ease their uncertainty.

Dr Wendy Schuman of the Children's National Medical Center in Washington states,
"Allow the child to choose some things that are important to him or her to take with them,
important pictures or maybe items that five them comfort like a special blanket or pillow."

Most important, according to experts at FEMA, is that parents find some way to reassure and calm
a frightened child.