Dear neighbors, > You may find the guidelines below helpful in talking to > children about today's events. Please feel free to share them. > Myriam Siftar > > -----Original Message----- > > From: BROADCAST MGH > > Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 4:31 PM > > To: All User MGH > > Subject: Talking with Children about Today's Events-September 11, > > 2001 > > > > Talking with Children about Today's Events > > September 11, 2001 > > > > MGH Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry send along these suggestions > > for parents: > > > > First, ask what the child knows about the events of the day. This way a > > parent can clarify distortions, and help the child get clear information. > > Encourage and eagerly invite questions. This allows a parent to discover > > the degree of distress, distortion or worry your child may be > > experiencing. You may try asking your child "What was the hardest thing > > about today for you?" and "Is there anything else you haven't told me > > yet?". > > > > Encourage your child not to worry alone! > > > > Sorting out concerns for personal safety, here and now, may be first on > > your child's mind. Specifically, younger children have not developed a > > clear sense of physical distance. It may be very helpful to help your > > child understand how far away New York or Washington are from Boston. > > > > The complicated and unanswerable questions need not be answered today. > > Your child will understand that a thoughtful response may take time and > > require all of us to consult with many others and over time for an answer. > > > > Some kids may not want to go to school tomorrow. Understanding the > > distress of your child is paramount in making such decisions. In the > > morning, you might ask your child how they are feeling. A parent may ask > > the child directly if he or she is afraid of what happened yesterday. > > Some kids may say they have a bellyache or sore throat. While some may > > actually be physically ill, it is not unusual for kids to react > > emotionally through physical complaints. If your child seems very > > distressed, then school is not in order. You may choose to keep your child > > home for part of the day. You might consider driving your child to school. > > For some adolescents, it may be helpful to be in school with other peers. > > It may be helpful for the parent to call other parents and see what they > > are doing. > > > > Should kids watch television about the events. Yes, with parental > > guidance. Infants and toddlers, especially, should be protected from > > violent and graphic images. There is no way that kids can be sheltered > > from the media portrayal of such events. Naturally, parents should do > > what they feel comfortable with. However, it is far better for kids to > > watch TV with parental guidance in order to ask questions and present > > their emotional responses than do it alone, or even with peers. If a child > > does not want to see the graphic events, he or she should not have to. > > > > > > We have included some specific suggestions for talking with your children > > about the news depending on your child's developmental stage, their > > chronological age, personality, and previous experiences. Most important > > is to be physically and emotionally present with them. > > > > Infants: > > * Parents should be aware that infants pick up on the anxieties and > > actions of those around them. Try to remain calm when interacting with > > your infant - keep routine consistent and provide their usual environment. > > > > * Infants may be fussy in reaction to anxieties around them. > > > > Toddlers: > > * Keep routines consistent > > * TV and Radio News Experiences should be in the presence of an adult > > * Offer toddlers videos to watch, read books, play with your child > > * If toddler asks questions about what is going on - answer in simple > > terms - let them know that you are there to keep them safe > > > > Preschoolers: > > * TV and Radio News Experiences should be in the presence of an adult > > * If your preschooler asks questions about what is going on - answer > > in simple terms - let them know that you are there to keep them safe > > * Keep your child close to you - play with them. You could also > > connect with other friends - get a little play group going > > * Do some type of special activity - watch a movie, play a game, bake > > cookies > > * > > * School Age Children: > > * TV and Radio News Experiences should be in the presence of an adult > > * It may be most important to be with this age group - they are more > > interested than younger children but may be less capable then older > > children with coping and communicating > > * Reassure that there are people working to keep them safe and that > > you together as a family will be safe > > * Offer activities - do a puzzle, play a game, bake cookies > > > > Adolescents: > > * Just be present....wait....Listen - Listen - Listen... > > * Watch the TV News with them > > * Engage you adolescent in healthy conversation - 'How did you first > > hear about this today?' 'How did you feel when you heard it?' 'Do any of > > your friends have family in the places that have been hurt?' > > * Share your feelings with them honestly > > * Encourage them to express their feelings of anger and brain storm > > with them how they can deal with those feelings > > * Let them know that they are safe. Together as a family they will be > > safe > > * Have them let you know where they are going and who they will be > > with and how you will reach them if you need to > > > > > ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe, see <http://list.purple.com>
