From the VBMB website: Helping Children Cope with Trauma
General advice about helping children:
From Child Care and Development Division, Children’s Defense Fund, Washington, DC
- Continuously reassure your children that you will help to keep them safe.
- Turn off the TV. Overexposure to the media can be traumatizing. If your older children are watching the news, be sure to watch with them.
- Be aware that your child’s age will affect his or her response. Adolescents in particular may be hard hit by these kinds of events. Obtaining counseling for a child or adolescent soon after a disaster may reduce long-term effects.
- Calmly express your emotions, but remember that a composed demeanor will provide a greater sense of security for your child.
- Give your children extra time and attention and plan to spend more time with your children in the following months.
- Let your children ask questions, talk about what happened, and express their feelings.
- Play with children who can’t talk yet to help them work out their fears and respond to the atmosphere around them.
- Keep regular schedules for activities such as eating, playing and going to bed to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.
- Consider how you and your child can help. Children are better able to regain their sense of power and security if they feel they can help in some way.
A few helpful links:
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – Talking to Children about Wildfires and other Natural Disasters
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – Helping Children After A Disaster
Group Picture (Photographer Nancy not in picture)
Early morning celebration fun!
More celebration fun!
Awarding the Clean Classroom Award.
Camp Pastor Kevin leading us in a song. Do you thing we were singing softly or loudly?
Julian at the Missions Portal Rotation.
Amber helping with the worship processional.
Ariel praying during worship.
Susan having fun at the Heroes Charity Ball.
The Heroes defeat the Villians.
Having some early morning fun!
Getting ready for a game at the morning celebration!
Assistant Camp Director Meredith leads the camp in a fun song.
Julian, James, and others at morning celebration.
Ariel, Julianna, and Somer at morning celebration.
Morning recreation on the Rec Field (all the way at the bottom of the hill).
Not too bad a view from Eagle Eyrie in mid-afternoon.
Playing a game in the cabin.
Ariel learning to sign a song in her Camper’s Choice Rotation.
Teddy, James, and Allie making paper during the Mission Action Project Rotation.
Julian and Somer trying an Indian food at the Banjara Indian Market.
Yoga anyone?
Sarah performing her role in a Bollywood production.
