Raising Bright Children in a Scary World (continued)

Secondly, you are concerned enough to read this so we know they have at least one caring and involved parent or other adult in their life. This love and security is probably the most important factor in building resilience. Even if they go through a trauma, they will be much more capable of bouncing back if they know you are there to support them.

Lastly, their emotional sensitivity gives them a greater capacity for empathy and understanding of the importance of justice. As parents, we can further emphasize the importance of having compassion for and giving to others. We can teach them that they have a responsibility to make the world a better place. We can give them the tools to stand up for what is right, help others, and create hope. Our children are the leaders of tomorrow, with the capacity to change the world. As we guide them in how to use their strengths, they can and will make a difference.

Recommended Resources

American Psychological Association. (2006). “The Effects of Trauma Do Not Have to Last a Lifetime.”
www. psychologymatters.org/ptsd.html

Bosworth, Kris, and Walz, Garry. (2005). Promoting Student Resiliency. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association Foundation.

Brooks, Robert, and Goldstein, Sam. (2001). Raising Resilient Children. New York: McGraw-Hill Books.

Foxman, Paul. (2004). The Worried Child: Recognizing Anxiety in Children and Helping Them Heal. Alameda, CA: Hunter House.

Knox, Lorna. (2004). Scary News: 12 Ways to Raise Joyful Children When the Headlines Are Full of Fear. Nevada City, CA: Crystal Clarity Publishers.

National Mental Health Association. (2006). “Coping with Tragedy: The Fifth Anniversary of 9/11.”
www.nmha.org/ reassurance/9-11anniversary/index.cfm

Sword, Lesley. (2006). “Parenting Emotionally Intense Gifted Children.” Gifted and Creative Services, Australia.
http:// talentdevelop.com/ParentingEIGC.html

Books for Children

Crist, James. (2004). What to Do When You’re Scared and Worried: A Guide for Kids. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.

Holmes, Margaret. (2000). A Terrible Thing Happened: A Story for Children who Have Witnessed Violence or Trauma. Washington, DC: Magination Press.

Shuman, Carol. (2003). Jenny is Scared! When Sad Things Happen in the World. Washington, DC: Magination Press,.

Resources for Parents and Teachers

American Red Cross. (2001). Facing Fear curriculum. Washington, DC: American Red Cross.

American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency. (1998). Helping Children Cope with Disaster. Washington, DC: American Red Cross.

Andrews, Beth. (2006). Coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Hawthorne, NY: Sunburst Visual Media.

Andrews, Beth. (2005). Lifemap to Coping with Anxiety. Hawthorne, NY: Bureau for At-Risk Youth.

DeWolfe, Deborah. Helping Children Cope with a Traumatic Event. Washington, DC: American Red Cross.

La Greca, Annette, et. al. (2002). Helping Children Cope with Disasters and Terrorism. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Matthews, Dona, and Foster, Joanne. (2005). Helping Sensitive Children Cope in Difficult Times. www.sengifted.org.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2001). Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/violence.cfm.

Helpful Websites

National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov

Raising Resilient Kids
www.raisingresilientkids.com

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
www.aacap.org

American Psychological Association
www.apahelpcenter.org

National Mental Health Self-Help Clearinghouse
www.mentalhelp.net

National Child Traumatic Stress Network
www.nctsn.org

Author Note. Beth Andrews, Program Manager at Spanish Peaks Mental Health Center in Pueblo, CO. She is also the author of two children’s self-help books, Why Are You So Sad?: A Child’s Book About Parental Depression and I Miss You! A Military Kid’s Book About Deployment.

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