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Children in traumatic times suffer a range of emotions, from guilt, insignificance and grief to powerlessness, anger and confusion. At such times, they look at the adults around them for tips on coping with trauma. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, children returning to the routine of child care are comforted and reassured. As far as possible, maintaining the established routine helps children cope with trauma and childhood PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Help Children Coping with Trauma

With your knowledge of the children, identify those that have been more affected than others, whether materially or emotionally. Children who have lost parents, siblings or family members, as well as children who are highly sensitive, children who come from broken families and children who have witnessed death or injury are at risk of developing more serious complications from trauma. Keep an eye on them for signs of childhood PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and if necessary, refer their parents to counselors or child psychologists for help.

• Compile a tracking sheet of all children, complete with phone numbers and addresses, especially those who have moved to new accommodation.
• Pay visits to the families of those children who are absent from school either because they have lost someone or because their homes have been destroyed; it shows the child that part of their lives is still waiting for them. If possible, allow classmates and friends to call or write notes to the child to help them cope with trauma.
• Provide community services through the school for parents and children. Creating a list of agencies or organizations that can help with food, shelter, finances and insurance will benefit families that have suffered.
• If possible, increase staffing to provide additional care after hours and on weekends. This time will allow parents who are dealing with children and trauma, and work on re-building their lives and homes for the children.
• Children returning to schools or day care will meet with other children and naturally want to discuss their emotions or experiences. If teachers or child carers are able to, they can conduct guided sessions in which children are allowed to express themselves and gain support from peers. During these sessions, children discover that their friends share similar questions or feelings, helping them cope with trauma.
• Children like to feel useful and responsible. Involve them in tasks that directly contribute to the restoration efforts of the rest of the community, or in making Get Well Soon cards for people in hospitals.
• Reading books or telling stories about similarly affected areas or people teaches children how to deal with the trauma, and shows how others have recovered.
• Children often suffer from survivor guilt. They feel guilty that they lived while others died, that their families or houses were safe while those of their friends or people they’ve seen on TV have lost everything. Address issues like this in the third person if necessary during talks as many children keep such feelings to themselves.

Understanding Childhood Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can affect children or adults after they have suffered a traumatic event. While parents of children may be too busy rebuilding their lives and homes to notice, child care professionals have a more trained eye to watch children for behavioral problems, and can help with childhood PTSD. Symptoms include feelings of anxiety, re-experiencing the event, feeling it will happen again, avoiding talking of it or avoiding reminders of it, behavioral issues, sleeping and eating disturbances, regression in behavior, numbness to emotion, inability to concentrate, being easily startled, and withdrawal from family, friends and surroundings. If these signs are present, refer the parents to a medical professional or counselor for help.

References:

1. Helping Children after a Natural Disaster – National Association of School Psychologists
2. Nurturing Children After Natural Disasters – ChildCare Aware
3. What You Might Feel in a Disaster – FEMA for Kids
4. Helping Children Cope with Disaster – FEMA