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Just received from Prof. William L. Bainbridge with permission to distribute.
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For Immediate Release from the National Association of School Psychologists
Helping Children Cope With Tuesday's Acts of Terrorism Tips for
Parents and Teachers
Tuesday's tragic acts of terrorism are unprecedented in the American
experience. Children, like many people, may be confused or frightened
by the news and will look to adults for information and guidance on
how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children cope
first and foremost by establishing a sense of safety and security. As
the nation learns more about what happened and why, adults can
continue to help children work through their emotions and perhaps
even use the process as a learning experience.
ALL ADULTS SHOULD:
1. Model calm and control. Children take their emotional cues from
the significant adults in their lives. Avoid appearing anxious or
frightened.
2. Reassure children that they are safe and so are the other
important adults in their lives. Explain that these buildings were
targeted for their symbolism and that schools, neighborhoods, and
regular office buildings are
not at risk.
3. Remind them that trustworthy people are in charge. Explain that
the government emergency workers, police, fireman, doctors, and even
the military are helping people who are hurt and are working to
ensure that no further
tragedies occur.
4. Let children know that it is okay to feel upset. Explain that all
feelings are okay when a tragedy like this occurs. Let children talk
about their feelings and help put them into perspective. Even anger
is okay, but children may need help and patience from adults to
assist them in expressing
these feelings appropriately.
5. Observe children's emotional state. Depending on their age,
children may not express their concerns orally. Changes in behavior,
appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child's level of
grief, anxiety or discomfort. Children will express their emotions
differently. There is no right or wrong way to feel or express grief.
6. Tell children the truth. Don't try to pretend the event has not
occurred or that it is not serious. Children are smart. They will be
more worried if they think you are too afraid to tell them what is
happening.
7. Stick to the facts. Don't embellish or speculate about what has
happened and what might happen. Don't dwell on the scale or scope of
the tragedy, particularly with young children.
8. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate. Early
elementary school children need brief, simple information that should
be balanced with reassurances that the daily structures of their
lives will not change. Upper elementary and early middle school
children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they
truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need
assistance separating reality from fantasy. Upper middle school and
high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the
causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete
suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent
tragedies in society. They will be more committed to doing something
to help the victims and affeced community. For all children,
encourage them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings. Be a good
listener!
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO
1. Focus on your children over the next day or so. Tell them you love
them and everything will be okay. Try to help them understand what
has happened, keeping in mind their developmental level.
2. Make time to talk with your children. Remember if you do not talk
to your children about this incident someone else will. Take some
time and determine what you wish to say.
3. Stay close to your children. Your physical presence will reassure
them and give you the opportunity monitor their reaction. Many
children will want actual physical contact. Give plenty of hugs. Let
them sit close to you, and make sure to take extra time at bedtime to
cuddle and to reassure them that they are loved and safe.
4. Limit the amount of your child's television viewing of these
events. If they must watch, watch with them for a brief time; then
turn the set off. Don't sit mesmerized re-watching the same events
over and over again.
5. Maintain a "normal" routine. To the extent possible stick to your
family's normal routine for dinner, homework, chores, bedtime, etc.,
but don't be inflexible. Children may have a hard time concentrating
on schoolwork or falling asleep at night.
6. Spend extra time reading or playing quiet games with your children
before bed. These activities are calming, foster a sense of closeness
and security, and reinforce a sense of normalcy. Spend more time
tucking them in. Let them sleep with a light on if they ask for it.
7. Safeguard your children's physical health. Stress can take a
physical toll on children as well as adults. Make sure your children
get appropriate sleep, exercise and nutrition.
8. Consider praying or thinking hopeful thoughts for the victims and
their families. It may be a good time to take your children to church
or the synagogue, write a poem, or draw a picture to help your child
express their feelings and feel that they are somehow supporting the
victims and their families.
9. Find out what resources your school has in place to help children
cope. Most schools are likely to be open and often are a good place
for children to regain a sense of normalcy. Being with their friends
and teachers can help. Schools should also have a plan for making
counseling available to children and adults who need it.
WHAT SCHOOLS CAN DO
1. Assure children that they are safe and that schools are well
prepared to take care of all children at all times.
2. Maintain structure and stability within the schools. It would be
best, however, not to have tests or major projects within the next
few days.
3. Have a plan for the first few days back at school. Include school
psychologists, counselors and crisis team members in planning the
school's response.
4. Provide teachers and parents with information about what to say
and do for children in school and at home.
5. Have teachers provide information directly to their students, not
during the public address announcements.
6. Have school psychologists and counselors available to talk to
student and staff who may need or want extra support.
7. Be aware of students who may have recently experienced a personal
tragedy or a have personal connection to victims or their families.
Even a child who has been to visit the Pentagon or the World Trade
Center may feel a personal loss. Provide these students extra support
and leniency if necessary.
8. Know what community resources are available for children who may
need extra counseling. School psychologists can be very helpful in
directing families to the right community resources.
9. Allow time for age appropriate classroom discussion and
activities. Do not expect teachers to provide all of the answers.
They should ask questions and guide the discussion, but not dominate
it. Other activities can include art and writing projects, play
acting, and physical games.
10. Be careful not to stereotype people or countries that might be
home to the terrorists. Children can easily generalize negative
statements and develop prejudice.
11. Refer children who exhibit extreme anxiety, fear or anger to
mental health counselors in the school. Inform their parents.
12. Provide an outlet for students' desire to help. Consider making
get well cards or sending letters to the families and survivors of
the tragedy, or writing thank you letters to doctors, nurses, and
other health care professionals as well as emergency rescue workers,
firefighters and police.
13. Monitor or restrict viewing of this horrendous event as well as
the aftermath.
For information on helping children and youth with this crisis,
contact NASP at (301) 657-0270 or visit NASP's website at
www.nasponline.org
------------------------------
NASP represents 22,000 school psychologists and related professionals
throughout the United States and abroad. NASP's mission is to promote
educationally and psychologically healthy environments for all
children and youth by implementing research-based, effective programs
that prevent problems, enhance independence and promote optimal
learning. This is accomplished through state-of-the-art research and
training, advocacy, ongoing program evaluation, and caring
professional service.
National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway,
Suite 402, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 657-0270, Fax (301) 657-0275
**********************************************
--
Jerry P. Becker
Curriculum & Instruction
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901-4610
Phone: (618) 453-4241 [O]
(618) 457-8903 [H]
Fax: (618) 453-4244
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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