Terrorism in America: What Do You Tell the Children?

Tuesday’s horrific terrorist strikes in New York and Washington D.C. can leave children feeling vulnerable and afraid.

Posted on September 12, 2001 at 1:17 p.m.

 

 

 

STORY:

  

Tuesday’s horrific terrorist strikes in New York and Washington D.C. can leave children feeling vulnerable and afraid. How can parents help their children deal with the tragedy? University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) counseling expert Patty Sheets, Ph.D., says parents should take care to make their children feel reassured and safe.

 

 

 

WHO:

  

Patty Sheets, Ph.D., is a counseling expert and an assistant professor in the UAB School of Education’s Department of Human Studies.

 

 

 

WHAT:

  

Sheets offers parents the following advice:

  • Shield children from being bombarded by the visual images of the disaster scenes being shown repeatedly on television and in other media. “Such images can become imprinted on a child’s mind, leading to bad dreams and recurring thoughts.”

  • Some children may experience nightmares or “bad dreams” and want to sleep with their parents. It’s okay to let them be reassured in that way for a short time.

  • Some children may complain of “stomach aches” or headaches and not want to go to school. Stay in touch with the school counselor. The school counselor may conduct special large and small group activities to help children through such events.

  • Try to spend extra time with your child.

  • Maintain as normal a routine as possible. Children need consistency.

  • Encourage children to be active physically: running, playing outdoor games, etc., which are good ways relieve stress.

  • Allow children to express their concerns or fears. Validate them through listening. You can also help children come up with age-appropriate ways to express their emotions in such a national tragedy. This helps them gain a sense of power and control by being able to do something. Examples might include: Flying the flag at half-mast; Releasing balloons in memory of the people who were lost; Joining a prayer circle; Making a prayer chain.

 

 

 

CALL:

  

Gail Short, Media Relations, (205) 934-8931 or gshort@uab.edu. After hours, call (205) 934-3411 and ask for the Media Relations person on call.