10 Ways To Help Kids Cope With Japan
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AfSD™(ADVOCATE FOR SAVING DOGS™)
10 Ways To Help Kids Cope With Japan
posted by Ronnie Citron-Fink
The heartbreaking
stories and images of the disaster in Japan are difficult for adults to
comprehend. What about the children? How do we explain this tragedy to
our kids?
stories and images of the disaster in Japan are difficult for adults to
comprehend. What about the children? How do we explain this tragedy to
our kids?
Here’s a quick story: As an educator, I (and a few others) had to
make a decision whether or not to start school in New York the day after
9/11. It was a painstaking decision. While the school was a little over
an hour from the disaster site, the whole school community – teachers,
parents and children were worried and grieving. One of the reasons we
chose to open our doors as planned on Sept. 12th was that we knew
children develop a deeper sense of empathy when they are given the tools
to cope with difficult circumstances. I believe that teaching environmental and global awareness to children is paramount.
make a decision whether or not to start school in New York the day after
9/11. It was a painstaking decision. While the school was a little over
an hour from the disaster site, the whole school community – teachers,
parents and children were worried and grieving. One of the reasons we
chose to open our doors as planned on Sept. 12th was that we knew
children develop a deeper sense of empathy when they are given the tools
to cope with difficult circumstances. I believe that teaching environmental and global awareness to children is paramount.
10 Ways To Help Kids Cope With The Disaster In Japan
1. Provide accurate information. There’s no need to give all the
details, but use the opportunity as an age-appropriate teachable moment
to provide information.
details, but use the opportunity as an age-appropriate teachable moment
to provide information.
2. How much information is too much? Give simple answers to questions. Filter the information that they won’t understand out.
3. Provide reassurance and validate children’s feelings. Show them
you care and tell them you are worried too. Kids find comfort in knowing
that their day-to-day world is intact. Stay as much on schedule as you
can.
you care and tell them you are worried too. Kids find comfort in knowing
that their day-to-day world is intact. Stay as much on schedule as you
can.
4. Should you let your child watch tsunami news coverage? That’s up
to you. If you chose to watch the news, it is advisable to watch it with
them. Even older children who have access to a multitude of media
information need to be monitored. Just being available to answer their
questions and provide a chance to discuss the images, makes children
feel safer. Most TV news programs tell you when scenes are graphic. Opt
not to watch those with children. Keeping the news on 24/7 will only
heighten children’s anxieties.
to you. If you chose to watch the news, it is advisable to watch it with
them. Even older children who have access to a multitude of media
information need to be monitored. Just being available to answer their
questions and provide a chance to discuss the images, makes children
feel safer. Most TV news programs tell you when scenes are graphic. Opt
not to watch those with children. Keeping the news on 24/7 will only
heighten children’s anxieties.
5. A little bit of knowledge can go a long way. The U.S. Geological Survey has a site that explains the magnitude of earthquakes in terms that children can understand.
6. The New York Times shows amazing satellite photos
from the tsunami site. By moving the slider from side to side on the
comparative images, older children can see the changes before and after
the disaster.
from the tsunami site. By moving the slider from side to side on the
comparative images, older children can see the changes before and after
the disaster.
7. Share an uplifting story. Even though this tragedy is so horrific,
children find solace in hope. A hopeful story such as the one from the Wall Street Journal about a man who has to leave his two dogs behind, but comes back to find them safe, provides hope. Tell them about how the Save The Children
organization is establishing “Child Friendly Spaces” to give children a
safe place to play with their friends, while allowing parents to focus
on other priorities.
children find solace in hope. A hopeful story such as the one from the Wall Street Journal about a man who has to leave his two dogs behind, but comes back to find them safe, provides hope. Tell them about how the Save The Children
organization is establishing “Child Friendly Spaces” to give children a
safe place to play with their friends, while allowing parents to focus
on other priorities.
8. Lead by example. Children want to help too. If kids feel that they
can help alleviate the suffering, it will make them feel less hopeless.
If you are donating money to help with relief efforts, involve your
children in the decision-making process. They may want to designate
their donation to go to children and animal related relief organizations.
can help alleviate the suffering, it will make them feel less hopeless.
If you are donating money to help with relief efforts, involve your
children in the decision-making process. They may want to designate
their donation to go to children and animal related relief organizations.
9. Teach children about Japanese culture and discuss why it is
important to respect and understand about the traditions of others. An
understanding of a global community in times of need can be comforting.
important to respect and understand about the traditions of others. An
understanding of a global community in times of need can be comforting.
10. Give them a hug. It goes a long way.
Just think how big the payoff would be if every parent takes this
horrific tragedy and uses it to encourage global awareness, empathy and a
giving spirit in their children.
horrific tragedy and uses it to encourage global awareness, empathy and a
giving spirit in their children.
Ronnie Citron-Fink is a
writer and educator. Ronnie regularly writes about sustainable living
for online sites and magazines. Along with being the creator of www.econesting.com,
Ronnie has contributed to numerous books about green home design, DIY,
children, and humor. Ronnie lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with
her family.
writer and educator. Ronnie regularly writes about sustainable living
for online sites and magazines. Along with being the creator of www.econesting.com,
Ronnie has contributed to numerous books about green home design, DIY,
children, and humor. Ronnie lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with
her family.
Source:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-ways-to-help-kids-cope-with-japan.html
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