Helping Children Cope With Fires

Posted by Sandra Williams Oct 30, 2007

Family and friends that are looking for advice in helping children deal with the emotional aspect of the wildfires in California can look to Save the Children’s 10 tips on how to help children deal with crisis. The relevancy of each depends on the ages and circumstances of the children but I think they’re still good suggestions that can be applied globally.

1. Turn off the television.
2. Listen to your children carefully.
3. Give children reassurance and psychological first-aid.
4. Be alert for significant changes..
5. Expect the unexpected. Not every child will experience these events in the same way.
6. Give your children extra time and attention.
7. Be a model for your child. Your child will learn how to deal with these events by seeing how you deal with them.
8. Watch your own behavior. Make a point of showing sensitivity toward those impacted by the disaster.
9. Help your children return to normal activities. Children almost always benefit from activity, goal orientation and sociability.
10. Encourage your child to do volunteer work. Helping others can give your child a sense of control, security and empathy.

(From Charles MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children)

For an expansion of these tips see Save the Children’s website.

Related:

Save the Children: Poverty and Programs in America