Please find below some suggestions for supporting your children at home. Below is information compiled from The National Association of School Psychologists, American School Counselor Association, The Child Mind Institute, and the United Nations International School:
Some advice offered by the experts in the field of increasing student resiliency during times of traumatic world events includes:
- Keep routines as normal as possible, as pre-adolescents and adolescents gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school.
- Limit exposure to television and the news.
- Be honest with kids and share with them as much accurate information as they are developmentally able to handle.
- Listen to fears and concerns and provide coping strategies when possible.
- Reassure kids that the world continues to be a good place to be, but that there are people who do bad things.
- Parents and teachers should assess and cope with their own responses to crisis and stress, and model healthy emotional reactions.
- In times of stress, children look to be with individuals they feel safe with for support and guidance.
- Remind students of the celebration of our diversity within the UNIS community and our commitment to promoting peace, equality, and justice.
Resources for Parents
Coping with Disturbing News
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News
Resiliency
Promoting Compassion and acceptance in crisis
http://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/war-and-terrorism/promoting-compassion-and-acceptance-in-crisis
