Every educator across the nation will return to school on Monday morning with a heavy heart the result of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school. Our job will be to reassure our students that school is still one of the safest places to be, that we have a plan in place for their safety, that we love them and care for them. A return to and the maintaining of our normal school routines will help reduce anxiety for most students. Having a copy of our school crisis plan available for parents will reassure and reduce their anxiety. Encourage parents to limit their children's exposure to the media coverage.
Answer children's questions honestly and straight forward remembering each child's level of development. It is okay to say that we ourselves do not understand why someone would do such a horrible thing. Sometimes the why just can't be answered. Children who appear to be having difficulty can be referred to the school counselor, often they just need to talk and process their feelings.
The following is a statement from the American School Counselor Association:
Helping Kids During Crisis • Try and keep routines as normal as possible. Kids 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 information as they are developmentally able to handle. • Listen to kids’ fears and concerns. • Reassure kids that the world is a good place to be, but that there are people who do bad things. • Parents and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress. • Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.
Answer children's questions honestly and straight forward remembering each child's level of development. It is okay to say that we ourselves do not understand why someone would do such a horrible thing. Sometimes the why just can't be answered. Children who appear to be having difficulty can be referred to the school counselor, often they just need to talk and process their feelings.
The following is a statement from the American School Counselor Association:
Helping Kids During Crisis • Try and keep routines as normal as possible. Kids 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 information as they are developmentally able to handle. • Listen to kids’ fears and concerns. • Reassure kids that the world is a good place to be, but that there are people who do bad things. • Parents and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress. • Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.