Don't belittle their concerns or fears. Assure young children that their parents, their teachers and the police are doing everything possible to make sure they are safe. It's OK to be scared. I'm here to take care of you. Parents should not reinforce the child's fears by emphasizing their own fears.
Children reflect how parents and teachers react to the news.
Davis said there is a difference in fear and anxiety in children. Typically, fear is a response to a certain situation, like being afraid of animals. Anxiety refers to worry about something that hasn't happened, such as an upcoming event or trauma. She said junior and senior high school students are better prepared for more specific details of the disasters, but they can still have concerns that should not be overlooked by adults. Recommendations on this web site do not endorse any commercial products or trade names.