By Michelle Ries
Our thoughts go out to our fellow North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Florence.
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, it can be difficult to know how to talk about the event and its impact with children. Experts in child trauma and mental health at the National Center on Early Childhood and Wellness emphasize that the most important thing parents and caregivers can do is reassure children that grown-ups are doing things to keep them safe. Other tips include getting back to normal routine as much as possible, sharing direct information (led by the child’s questions), and limiting media exposure to the event.
North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health has compiled several age-specific resources to help parents and others who work with children talk to them about the disaster:
Other resources for talking to your children about Hurricane Florence and its impact:
Courtesy of Sesame Street. https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/emergency-preparedness/?activity=sesame-street-gets-storm