Helping Children Cope with a Disaster A disaster is frightening to everyone. Several factors play an important part in a child's reaction to the event. Children will be affected by the amount of direct exposure they have had to the disaster.
Adults can help children grieve by patiently listening and being able to tolerate feelings.
This is a major factor in a child's perception of adults' reactions to the disaster. Children are very aware of adults' worries most of the time but they are particularly sensitive during the period of a disaster. Acknowledging your concerns to the children is important, as is your ability to cope with stress. Talking about the disaster together using words children can understand is important, as is being sensitive to their different responses. Preschool children will cling to parents and teachers.