Response to Terrorist Attacks, by Beryl Cheal ©2001

Ideas for Adults Who Work with Children

We are all horrified and deeply saddened by the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the plane crash in Pennsylvania. But children, as either direct or indirect victims, can be particularly traumatized, particularly distressed, for they have no way of knowing that life will get back to normal again. If they are fearful, they have no way of knowing they will ever feel better.

Terrorist attacks seem particularly frightening, even more than natural disasters. Whereas natural disasters can be attributed to "acts of God," something that just happens, human-inspired events are planned. They are intended to cause harm and disruption of life. Human-inspired acts leave victims unable to understand why people would deliberately plan to kill others and cause great destruction. Those who perform acts of terror are faceless, nameless and come from anywhere. Anyone could be your enemy or your friend. It's very confusing and frightening and very sudden. Natural disasters are predictable. Our sophisticated weather tracking systems know when and where storms may hit. Volcanoes give warning signals. Earthquakes can be predicted based on historical data. Acts of terror can't be predicted. They happen without warning.

Children's reactions to traumatic events may appear immediately or days, even weeks later. But adults can help children heal. They can help children recover their sense of balance, and the sense of order in their lives.

Assure Children Take time to connect with your children. Assure them they are safe and that you will do everything you can to make sure they remain safe. If you work with other people's children encourage parents to give similar assurances. Parents could name each of the people closest to the child and say they are safe. If close family members or friends live away from the family, visit them or call and let the children talk with them to hear their voices. Parents should tell children that they love them, and that no matter what happens they will always love them. If you work with other children, help the parents find some ways to stay connected. Phone calls during the day to talk with their children are good. Parents and children carrying photos of the other is another way to stay connected.		Watercolor art of a 9 year old boy October 2001, NYC Childcare program
Limit TV Watching Whether you work with children in a group setting or are a parent with children at home, eliminate or limit their TV watching of the tragedy. If you do allow children to watch the events as they are being played out, be sure you watch with them so you can help them work through some of their fear. Young children are particularly concerned about safety. Again, talk about their being safe where you are and remind them that you will do everything you can to make sure they stay safe. Talk about the people who are helping - policemen, doctors, nurses, other people at the hospitals, Red Cross, volunteers. Help children know that when people get hurt there are others who help. Talk about the things that you do to make them safe. Get ideas from them of some other things that could be done to assure safety. Things like making sure there is a first aid kit available when needed, knowing how to find their parents when they are away, or children memorizing their home telephone number are appropriate. In addition you will want to reassure them that there adults who are finding out who did this and they will be found and punished. Children need to know that there are still adults in charge. The world isn't falling apart with no one in control.
		Drawing of a 4 year old boy after 9/11, NYC Childcare program
Myth Sometimes when a disaster occurs children think they caused it. For instance, if a child got angry with his/her parents that morning, said an angry word to a sibling, or refused to eat breakfast, the child may associate that behavior with the disastrous event. The child may think he/she caused it. Adults need to try to help children understand that they had nothing to do with the event, the attack would have happened anyway. It may take the child some time to really believe you because his/her life is centered on how they interpret there own experiences, but be patient. Eventually your child will believe you.

Changing Landscape

With the destruction of the Trade Center Towers the landscape has dramatically changed for all those living in the area. It is unnerving and confusing for children when such changes occur, for seeing the same landscape is comforting and gives children a sense of stability. The Towers were strong buildings, made of concrete and steel, buildings that seemed like they would last forever. With the destruction of these pillars of strength children may wonder about the strength of other buildings. Are buildings safe? Will they fall down, if I go inside?

Behaviors May Change

In response to these traumatic events children's behavior may change, they may revert back to younger behaviors. These are normal behaviors for abnormal circumstances and may only last a short time. Children may begin sucking their thumb again, wanting a comfort object (like their blanket), want to sleep with their parents, need the light left on to go to sleep, start wetting the bed again. Parents and other care givers should be available to give children extra comfort, extra touching, extra holding, extra attention, extra time.

Talking Is Good

Encourage children to talk about what happened and how they feel about it. Talking about feelings is important. Feelings are facts. They are neither good nor bad. They just are, and adults need to acknowledge them. Take your cues from the children, listen to them. If it sounds like they want to talk, it is important that you listen. Be sure you listen without judgment. Children may have different fears than their adults, but they are just as valid, just as intense, just as important.

Adults should let their children know that they, too are sad, angry, upset over what has happened.But let them know in a calm way. Young children frequently take cues from their adults on how to act, and how to feel, in traumatic situations. By example you can let your children know that it's OK to feel bad.

When children ask questions answer them as well as you can. Be truthful if you don't know the answers but help them know that you will try to find out if you can. Use words with children that really describe the event but don't overwhelm them with information. Young children will be satisfied with a minimum answer, whereas too much information could upset the child even more. Older children will be able to understand more information and a more detailed discussion.

Some children may not want to talk about the tragedy, and that's OK. If there is a child who seems disturbed by what is being heard but doesn't want to talk, provide an activity that will give opportunity to express his or her emotions in another way.

Activities with Children

Plan activities for children that will provide tension release and props that children can use to play out the event through dramatic play. Play dough, clay, water and sand play, soothing music, painting, drawing all can be used to relieve tension. Props that children can use to play out the event might include doctor, nurse, and fire fighter dolls, small ambulances and fire trucks, other small family figures. You might also have available large white shirts that could be used for doctor or nurse uniforms.

Let the children decide how they would like to use the materials provided but make sure all children are safe as they reenact what they have seen and heard.

Daily Schedule

Provide a consistent, predictable pattern for the day. Since children's lives may seem out of control at this time, they need to know what to expect as they go through their day. They need to know there still is a pattern for living that continues. As much as possible stay with the daily schedule that the children already know, including rituals that have been established.

In Conclusion

Research has shown that both adults and children who are either direct or indirect victims of catastrophic events show a wide range of reactions. Some suffer only worries and bad memories that fade with emotional support and the passage of time. Others are more deeply affected and experience long-term problems. With the help of adults most of our young children can move quickly from the trauma of the terrorist attacks to living normal lives again. Those children whose symptoms linger for a longer period of time should be referred to the mental health system in their community.

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