Helping Children Cope
During A Hurricane
A hurricane is a frightening experience for everyone, but for a
young child, it can be extremely threatening. An extra amount of
understanding and patience is usually necessary for a child who
may have difficulty coping with the situation. Consider how your
children might react in a disaster, what your own reactions might
be and how the crisis could affect emotional and physical
well-being. University of Florida/IFAS – Pinellas County Extension
offers these suggestions:
Making plans for the family
-
Involve
children in emergency planning, such as checking supplies and
writing a shopping list.
-
Follow
suggestions or warnings by emergency services for the care and
safety of your child.
-
Use simple
and matter-of-fact language to discuss safety steps.
-
Play “let’s
pretend...” games with young children to help them work out
“what if” situations.
Evacuating with
your family
-
Pack a small
bag or box of supplies with games, books and hobby items.
-
Remember
diapers, food and drinks for kids.
-
Bring a
favorite toy or stuffed animal to help children feel more
secure.
Coping with emotions
Even after families are out of danger, children may remain afraid.
Research indicates that fears vary with age, maturity and previous
experiences. Four major fears common in children are: death,
darkness, animals and abandonment. Children are likely to
experience three of these major fears during a storm, which
impacts their ability to cope for some time. Emotional support
from parents is critical; well after the storm is over.
-
Children
mirror their parents’ anxieties, so be calm to help reduce your
children’s fears.
-
Listen to
fears and reassure children often and repeatedly.
-
Encourage
them to talk and ask questions, but limit discussion to basic
facts.
-
Spend extra
time before bedtime; leave a door open and night light on.
-
Maintain
close contact. Hold and touch your child.
-
Don’t
discipline for unusual signs of anxiety during a crisis, like
bedwetting or thumb sucking.
-
Do not lie
to children about the dangers. Reassure them that you are
focused on their safety.
-
Be cautious
of permitting young children to watch or listen to news.
-
Allow for
mourning and grieving over the loss of meaningful items.
If you must leave your child
Children who have been through a disaster are afraid of being
separated from family and left alone. Avoid separation, even to go
to the store. If you must leave children with friends or
relatives, reassure them:
-
Let your
child know how long you will be away.
-
Let your
child know how often you will be in touch with him or her.
-
Keep in
touch with your child frequently and as regularly as you
promised.
-
Make sure
your child’s needs are being met.
Stay tuned in to your child
Some children may need additional help in coping with a hurricane.
Their behaviors may indicate additional problems. Following a
disaster some children may:
-
Be upset at
the loss of a favorite toy, blanket or pet.
-
Be angry.
They might hit, throw, kick to show their anger.
-
Become more
active or restless and experience nightmares.
-
Be afraid of
the hurricane recurring.
-
Want to
sleep with a parent or other person.
-
Have
symptoms of illness such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, lack of
appetite.
-
Be quiet and
withdrawn.
-
Become
easily upset, crying and whining frequently.
-
Feel guilty
that they caused the disaster because of some previous behavior.
-
Feel
neglected by parents who are busy trying to clean up and
rebuild.
-
Refuse to go
to school or to childcare.
-
Become
afraid of loud noises, rain, and storms.
-
Not show any
outward signs of being upset.
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