By Yia Lor, Human Development & Relationships Extension Educator, Eau Claire County
We can’t prevent scary events from happening, but we can do our best to know what and how much information our children are being exposed to about the events. Children are often frightened by uncertainty, change, and adult emotional responses. Children are always watching and learning from adults around them. It shows them what is acceptable and what is not.
Responding to Scary Events” Fact Sheet
References
- Seattle Children’s Hospital, “Disasters and Scary Events: Helping Children Cope”. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/documents/for-patients-and-families/ce/CE395-disasters-and-scary-events.pdf
- Strong Feelings: Emotion Coaching handout
- UW Health, “When you talk with children” handout.