Archive

Terrorist Attacks

Summary: The horror that unfolded before our eyes on September 11, 2001 was both frightening and numbing. With each passing year the probability of another attack on our country increases. Talking with our children about terrorists and war is a daunting task. The issues are multi-fold, as will be their questions and concerns. Allowing children a voice, reassuring them realistically about safety, and being honest with them about our feelings is just the beginning.

It is important that we stay well informed about events that are unfolding across the globe so that we can address children's thoughts, concerns, and fears with factual and reasonable responses.

Issues you may want to discuss with your students about terrorist attacks are:

• Explain that the government is working to keep Americans safe.
• Explain to them that there is extra security at airports, particularly if they express concern about a parent who travels regularly for business travel.
• Tell kids that it is safe at school and that we must go about our lives as normally as we can. Explain that the principal and others who work at their school are there to protect their safety.
• Address the issue about our country being at war only if the kids ask and if it relates to the curriculum.
• Children hear words such as Al-Qaeda or suicide bombers. Explain in age-appropriate terms what a terrorist is. Be sure your students understand that not every Muslim is a terrorist.

Here are some questions you may want to ask your students:

• Ask your students what they know about the events at the World Trade Center, or any current terrorist attack in the news.
• Ask your students what they think has happened.
• Encourage them to express their feelings. Allow them to talk about the event and listen very carefully. This will help you to find out their degree of distress.
• Answer their questions with simple, honest and accurate answers. Ask specific questions such as "How do you feel? Does it make you feel scared? What worries you the most?"

Parents in the Military

Summary: As tens of thousands of soldiers and reservists are called upon to serve their country, the children of military families face a unique set of fears and concerns.

For the first time many children will be separated from a parent who may be sent away from home for an indeterminate amount of time. They may see images of or hear about battles and casualties. And they may hear mixed views-some supportive, some not-about America's involvement in military action.

Some of the issues you may want to discuss with your students about their parents military service:

• Explain that the government is working to protect Americans; that their father, mother, or relative in the military is working to keep our country safe.
• Let them know that father or mother is doing what he or she feels is right in helping to keep America and the rest of the world safe.
• If you teach on a military base, utilize the support services available to you and the children's families.
• Be prepared that your student may hear tragic news one day. Should something happen, and so that you are not caught unaware, consider talking with the surviving parent or caregiver on how best to handle this.

Encourage children to express their feelings. Allow them to talk about the parent and listen very carefully. This will help you to find out their degree of anxiety about the separation.

Encourage children to express their feelings. Allow them to talk about the parent and listen very carefully. This will help you to find out their degree of anxiety about the separation.

Here are some questions you may want to ask your students:

• How do you feel about mommy or daddy having to be away from home for a while?
• Does it make you feel scared for mommy or daddy?
• What worries you the most?