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Early Childhood Today
www.scholastic.com/earlychildhoodtoday

Child Care Resource and Referral, a division of Camp Fire USA First Texas Council

One of the more difficult issues a parent or guardian can face is finding quality child care. Our service assists parents/guardians in locating child care, offers trainings to child care providers, and creates a partnership with local business and community organizations to help promote the availability of quality child care. We service Tarrant and surrounding counties.

For more information our website is www.firsttexascampfire.org, ccrr@firsttexascampfire.org or call us at (817) 831-5060.

Member of TACCRRA.
www.taccrra.com

"Tragic Times, Healing Words" From Sesame Street Workshop

Acknowledge that bad things happen.

First, it is important to tell the truth and acknowledge that bad things do happen. If preschoolers do not ask questions, they do not need to be told about the event. If they are exposed to the event say that they are safe with you and that good people are in charge to keep everyone safe. If your older child asks questions, explain that this tragedy did happen and use words to describe the event based on what you feel your child can handle. This is important in maintaining your child’s trusting relationship with you and other adults.

Reassure your child that your family is safe and give them close contact.

Children need to be reassured that their parents or caregivers have this situation under control. In times like these, it’s important to maintain close contact with your children. Reassure them that everyone in your family is OK and tell them that you-their parents and caregivers-will keep them safe. Hugs help too! Your child may be clingy or more in need of attention than at other times. That’s OK. Try to spend time with them and be reassuring about your presence and their safety.

Limit exposure to media.

Preschoolers should be shielded from exposure to the images of tragedy. Try to turn-off your television and radio when they are close by, and limit their exposure to newspaper images. Such images are frightening to young children.

Good things can come out of the bad things that happen.

In addition to reassuring your child that her environment is safe, children can be given the message that some times good things come out of bad events. Look for stories in the news to tell your children about the heroes that are in their world. For example, volunteers have helped out with the World Trade Center tragedy by giving blood or donating their time in handing out water to firefighters.

Try to keep a normal routine.

Children will fare better if life is stable and predictable for the child as possible. Teachers, relatives, and other adult friends can help children by being available to them. This will help children to keep calm.

Share your feelings.

When talking to your child about the tragedy it is important to remember that all children are different and that your goal is to be understanding, reassuring, and accepting of children’s feelings. Some children may have shown a few emotional reactions and may not ask any questions about the tragedy. That’s OK, there is no need to press for more. Others will bounce in and out of feelings of grief or worry. If you have a young child who does not appear to be impacted by the event, they should not be given information that they do not need to know. However, if your child does have questions or concerns you can help them by giving simple answers that are appropriate to their age.

What to say when your child cries, "I’m Scared!"

At …	Begin Talking…	Say to your child…	Follow up by…
2 years and under	Only if your child asks a question. Most likely you won’t need to take this step, because toddlers are usually too young to grasp what is happening in the news.	"Mommy and Daddy love you, and we’ll keep you safe." Because: If they ask at all, toddlers are more interested in how a tragedy affects their world. Details may frighten them.	Shielding your child from the news. For instance, don’t watch TV during dinner; wait until your child is asleep to watch the news.
3 to 5 years	If your preschooler asks questions about what he may have in advertently seen on TV, or heard from older kids at the playground. But don’t bring the tragedy to your child’s attention unless you know he’s aware of it.	"It’s OK to feel angry, but we need to use words to say we are sad or mad." Because preschoolers are learning how to handle their emotions. Use this moment as a chance to teach them how to express their anger in a healthy way.	If you are watching the news, make sure that your preschooler is in another room watching age-appropriate programming. If your child has trouble expressing himself but is clearly upset by what he has seen on TV, invite him to sit and draw with you what he has seen.
6 to 11 years	As soon as you can, because older children have probably already seen something on TV, or gotten wind of it through other kids.	"Have you heard about what happened?" Because: It’s best to start with a question to find out how much your child knows and begin from there.	Show your child that people are not powerless. Point out how many people are volunteering to give blood and help in any way they can. Encourage your child to do creative activities that promote world tolerance.