Helping Children with Stress

As we individually and collectively struggle with the September 11, 2001 tragic events and losses, we wanted to let you know that our thoughts are with you. Also, for those of you who have children or work with children, here is some advice about how you might handle this situation:

1. Continuously reassure your children that you will help to keep them safe.
2. Turn off the TV. Overexposure to the media can be traumatizing. If your older children are watching the news, be sure to watch with them.
3. Be aware that your child's age will affect his or her response. Adolescents in particular may be hard hit by these kinds of events, and need more intensive, expert support and counseling.
4. Calmly express your emotions, but remember that a composed demeanor will provide a greater sense of security for your child.
5. Give your children extra time and attention and plan to spend more time with your children in the following months.
6. Let your children ask questions, talk about what happened, and express their feelings.
7. Play with children who can't talk yet to help them work out the fears they have based on the atmosphere around them.
8. Keep regular schedules for activities such as eating, playing, and going to bed to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.
9. Consider how you  and your child can help. Children are better able to regain their sense of power and security if they feel they can help in some way.
10. Participate in community gatherings where people are connecting and demonstrating caring support and concern.

Additionally, the following web sites include helpful information:

American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/disastercomm.htm

American Psychological Association: http://helping.apa.org/therapy/traumaticstress.html

Take care, let us know what else we can do to be supportive in this trying time, and please remember that we can make and are making a difference for children.

Jonah Jonah Edelman
Executive Director
Stand For Children
September 13, 2001