KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A school is supposed to be a safe place, and the images of schools ripped apart and children injured in Oklahoma may be disturbing to kids. So how do you talk to your kids about what’s going on? How much should you tell them?
Parents might feel like they should shelter their kids from bad news, but the experts say kids are going to find out about it one way or the other. So it’s important for you as their parent to help kids process what’s going on and maybe even help them take action to help others.
CONTINUING COVERAGE: Moore, Okla., tornado
Debbie Karlstrand is an early childhood specialist with the family conservancy — she says parents should sit down with kids to answer their questions — and ask them open ended questions about how they’re doing.
“What have you heard? Or how does that make you feel? Is there anything else you want to know?” says Karlstrand, “children will figure out how to deal with these situations by watching us, so remaining calm and positive and letting children know they are safe and secure.”
Karlstrand says this disaster may spark an intense fear of storms, but she says parents can help kids feel more in control by creating family safety or disaster plans.
“It makes children feel powerful and they have some control over the situation,” she said, “whether that’s saying where they would go in an emergency, getting flashlights ready, making an emergency preparedness kit.”
Another way to help kids cope is help them figure out what they can do to help others, or find ways to heal.
“Donating money, writing letters, draw pictures or write in a journal about how they’re feeling,” she suggested.
For more tips, head to The Family Conservancy Facebook page.
