There are many ways you can help Children’s.

[Anonymous]

Whether tragic events touch your family personally or are brought into your home via newspapers and television, you can help children cope with the anxiety that violence, death, and disasters can cause.

Listening and talking to children about their concerns can reassure them that they will be safe. Start by encouraging them to discuss how they have been affected by what is happening around them. Even young children may have specific questions about tragedies. Children react to stress at their own developmental level.

The Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign offers these pointers for parents and other caregivers:

* Encourage children to ask questions. Listen to what they say. Provide comfort and assurance that address their specific fears. It's okay to admit you can't answer all of their questions.
* Talk on their level. Communicate with your children in a way they can understand. Don't get too technical or complicated.
* Find out what frightens them. Encourage your children to talk about fears they may have. They may worry that someone will harm them at school or that someone will try to hurt you.
* Focus on the positive. Reinforce the fact that most people are kind and caring. Remind your child of the heroic actions taken by ordinary people to help victims of tragedy.
* Pay attention. Your children's play and drawings may give you a glimpse into their questions or concerns. Ask them to tell you what is going on in the game or the picture. It's an opportunity to clarify any misconceptions, answer questions, and give reassurance.
* Develop a plan. Establish a family emergency plan for the future, such as a meeting place where everyone should gather if something unexpected happens in your family or neighborhood. It can help you and your children feel safer.

If you are concerned about your child's reaction to stress or trauma, call your physician or a community mental health center.

[Anonymous]

Right post, wrong place...


wrote in message news:5455401@discussion.autodesk.com...
Whether tragic events touch your family personally or are brought into your
home via newspapers and television, you can help children cope with the
anxiety that violence, death, and disasters can cause.

Listening and talking to children about their concerns can reassure them
that they will be safe. Start by encouraging them to discuss how they have
been affected by what is happening around them. Even young children may have
specific questions about tragedies. Children react to stress at their own
developmental level.

The Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign offers these pointers
for parents and other caregivers:

* Encourage children to ask questions. Listen to what they say. Provide
comfort and assurance that address their specific fears. It's okay to admit
you can't answer all of their questions.
* Talk on their level. Communicate with your children in a way they can
understand. Don't get too technical or complicated.
* Find out what frightens them. Encourage your children to talk about fears
they may have. They may worry that someone will harm them at school or that
someone will try to hurt you.
* Focus on the positive. Reinforce the fact that most people are kind and
caring. Remind your child of the heroic actions taken by ordinary people to
help victims of tragedy.
* Pay attention. Your children's play and drawings may give you a glimpse
into their questions or concerns. Ask them to tell you what is going on in
the game or the picture. It's an opportunity to clarify any misconceptions,
answer questions, and give reassurance.
* Develop a plan. Establish a family emergency plan for the future, such as
a meeting place where everyone should gather if something unexpected happens
in your family or neighborhood. It can help you and your children feel
safer.

If you are concerned about your child's reaction to stress or trauma, call
your physician or a community mental health center.