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October 12, 2001
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More resources
available to help students cope
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| As
time distances us from the events of September 11, it is uncertain how
children will react to memories of that day and to news of our country’s
follow-up actions. Several organizations offer helpful materials on their websites to support parents and educators in their continuing efforts to help children cope with anxiety and fear. One good source is the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, which has put together several discussion papers with titles ranging from “Helping Children After a Disaster,” and “Children and the News,” to “How to Talk to Children and Parents After a Disaster.” That site can be found at: www.aacap.org/publications/DisasterResponse/index.htm. Another good site can be found at: www.kidshealth.org/kid/misc/terrorist_attacks.shtml. The site is KidsHealth, created by the Nemours Foundations’ Center for Children’s Health Media. The group aims to provide health information for children. Several articles are geared for teachers, young children, and teenagers. These include “Dealing with the Terrorist Attacks, “How to Help after the Terrorist Attacks,” and “For Teachers: Talking About the Terrorist Attacks.” The latter piece has information that is applicable for any adult wanting to talk to young people about the issue. The National Association of School Psychologists also has a list of articles, books, handouts, and other material to help adults “help children begin the healing process resulting from this senseless act of violence.” The site, www.nasponline.org/NEAT/crisis_0911.shtml, includes articles such as “Helping Children Cope with Tuesday’s Acts of Terrorism,” “Children and Responding to National Disaster,” and “Disaster: Helping Children Cope.” At www.nea.org/crisis/americaunited/01crisis.shtml, the National Education Association offers a wide range of materials in its Crisis Communications Guide and Toolkit. Materials there include “Support Long-Term Healing,” and “Frequently Asked Questions.” Sesame Street Parents has posted several good articles on its website, www.sesameworkshop.org/, including “”How to Talk to Your Kids About the Tragedy.” The piece was written by Rosemarie Truglio, the vice president of education and research for Sesame Workshop. Also included are “Children and Media,” “Stress and Fears,” and “Tragic Times, Healing Words.” Sometimes it’s just helpful to know that resources are available, in case they are needed. |
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