As I am sure you are all aware, a massive earthquake devastated Haiti earlier this week.  Along side of the destruction and human tragedy, it has struck a nerve with the world community, and there are aid efforts being organized on a world level.

We live in a world that has 24-hour wall-to-wall news coverage, and as much as we would like to shield our children from events like this, it is nearly impossible.  Children see the images and hear the news, but often times do not completely understand what they are seeing. As children begin to process this information many parents do not know where to begin talking to their children about it. I thought I would be best to pass along ways to talk to children about the events.

As I began writing this post, I turned for advice from two of Le Bonheur Children’s experts on working with children during traumatic events.  The first person I asked was Jenny Shelton, our Lead Child Life Specialist.  After talking with both of them, here is their advice:

 

Parents/caregivers can help children and/or adolescents that experience trauma by allowing them to openly talk about what happened and express their feelings.  Creative activities such as drawing and writing are excellent ways for children and adolescents to express their feelings.  Parents/caregivers should reassure children and adolescents that their feelings are normal and okay to have after a traumatic event.  It is also important to help children and adolescents feel safe and secure in their environment by maintaining normal activities, rules, and routines in the family system. 

 

If traumatic events happen at the local, state, or global level be aware of the information that children and adolescents are being exposed to via the internet, radio, and television.  Parents/caregivers should provide children and adolescents with age appropriate information and answer questions/concerns about the trauma that has affected many people.    

The second person I asked was Susan Steppe, the Director of Social Services.  She suggested the following strategies to talking your child about the events in Haiti:

• If your child continues to bring up the events repeatedly let them talk about their reactions.  Remember your child may not directly talk about it, but instead may draw pictures or have new “play scripts.”
• Reassure them that these feelings are normal, and lots of people are feeling the exact same way.
• Make them feel safe and secure, and do this as much as the individual child needs.
• Create a plan for something they can do to help.  In this case, it may be helping a local group that is organizing relief efforts.
• Turn off the television (or internet), especially if they are feeling overwhelmed.

You know your child and their reaction to these terrible events.  If they are having a difficult time, don’t be afraid to talk about it, and don’t worry if you don’t have the “right words”.  Most people don’t know where to start, but the important thing is that you do.  Also, listening goes a long way.

If you would like more information, please check out the National Child Traumatic Stress Network website.