In times of crisis, more than anything else, children need our love. They need to know they are loved, not with a showering of gifts but in a physical way. Hug them. Hold them. Let them know you are there for them. Assure them of their own safety, but avoid being overprotective, which may encourage more fear. Whatever you do, don’t ignore them. Don’t think they don’t know what’s going on, and don’t pretend that they are too young to have feelings about the event. Acknowledge them and their fears and help them learn to cope in a world that is often very unpredictable and scary to children as well as adults.
Keep the lines of communication open. Select pictures in a book or ask the children to draw pictures to express feelings. Then talk about the pictures. Take the lead from the child as to how much they need to talk about and know about the situation. Keep answers to questions simple, giving only what is needed. Listen to comments of children as they play. Are there clues here that need further conversation?
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