For kids and staff it is the first step in the healing process. Focus on the return to routine, structure, and learning. Encourage students and staff to look out for one another and alert administrators to those in need of care. Make grief counselors available on a group and individual basis. Involve children and community in planning and rebuilding efforts.
Children like to help, to feel needed, to take responsibility.
Adults can devise opportunities to help children find ways to take age-appropriate family responsibilities as well as help someone else. Such things as setting the table for meals would help the family and visiting an older person in the neighborhood would help someone else. Children and particularly adolescents need to be provided with opportunities to participate in projects and community recovery efforts. Strengthen support systems. Support systems are crucial to recovery.