The following statement was made by a parent of a child in a school near the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001...
Children's reactions are reflections of their parents. Too many parents expose children to their every emotion: fear, anxiety, anger, worry, etc. The fact is that children want parents to be heroes. If parents can be strong, this will benefit the recovery.
Remain calm. It is important to remain calm in the aftermath of a crisis. Children are greatly influenced by their family's sense of well-being, and anything that families can do to reassure students will be helpful. At the same time, families need to be compassionate listeners when their children speak of the crisis.
Attend to children's reactions. Be alert to children's emotional needs. Individuals recover from crisis at their own pace. Many children will benefit from mental health services regardless of whether they were directly or indirectly involved in the incident.
Return children to normal routine as quickly as possible. Families should adhere to the schedule of the school, and if the school remains open immediately after the aftermath of a crisis, it is important to let children return to school. Adhering to a typical routine will help children in the recovery process.
Refer the Media to the District Public Affairs Officer (858-679-2631). Undoubtedly, the media will try to interview families and children during or after a crisis. Families can make a very positive contribution to the school by referring the media to the PIO.
Attend community meetings. Families will receive invaluable information and support by attending community or school meetings. Community meetings often provide information to help dispel rumors and establish mechanisms of communication with parents, the media, and other affected parties.
Coping with Children’s Reactions to Tragedy and Disaster: this document is currently on the PUSD site
- (858) 748-3610, ext. 0
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