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September, 2001
Recent terrorist attacks have left us all feeling shaken and a bit
numb with disbelief. Our innocence and trust in American freedoms seem
to have been violated. Our hearts go out to those whose lives are forever
changed with the loss of a friend or family member in recent terrorist
attacks. We worry that life might never be the same for any of us. Children
sense this insecurity and need some reassurance to help them gain a
proper perspective. There are a number of things teachers and parents
can do to help children:
First, reassure children that other people are always ready to help.
Reaffirm that there are people in charge, like parents, teachers, the
President, military personnel, police officers, and others who are working
to make sure all are safe. Tell the children that it is important not
to dwell on negative speculations for the future, and that it is important
not to make negative judgments about others based on their race or country
of origin.
Remind them of family members and friends who are all right- relatives,
sisters, brothers, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. Let them
phone those who may not live close by to reassure them of other’s
safety and well-being. Listen to children’s fears or concerns without
discounting their feelings too quickly. Sometimes it helps just being
allowed to express feelings knowing that someone cares.
Help children to understand that most buildings are safe, that most
airplanes fly without any problem, that most cars get to their destinations,
that most schools are prepared to handle emergencies, that most adults
who work in helping professions (teachers, police officers, librarians,
principals, fire fighters, doctors, etc.) are there to help children
as well as adults.
FEMA offers some advice in talking about terrorism with children
since they often feel especially vulnerable. They caution parents and
teachers not to overexpose them to the news coverage of terrorist events.
Adults should "answer questions about terrorism by providing understandable
information and realistic reassurance. And children don't need to be
overwhelmed with information, so less is better than more in terms of
details."
How to Talk to Children:
http://www.fema.gov/nwz01/nwz01_99.htm
Children, like adults, want to help in some way. They can assist
by contributing money, which is often the best donation, to organizations
like the Red Cross or Salvation Army. Many children have emptied their
piggy banks to help with recent disasters. Make sure you are donating
to a reputable relief agency, and not to someone out collecting door-to-door.
Find out what the specific needs are rather than just assuming something
might be needed. Several groups of students started a recent campaign
to donate cuddly toys like teddy bears to children who may have lost
a parent. Make sure you have found a relief agency connection on the
other end. Sometimes things like teddy bears are dropped off at a disaster
site with no agency or group to receive and distribute them appropriately.
Encourage students from all nationalities to pull together for unity
and strength. Not knowing what lies ahead, we can work toward recovery
now. Freedom is a great cause to hold heads high, to encourage each
other toward strength and success, and to reach out to others in peace
and love.
Here are some resources you might find informative and helpful:
Air Tragedy.com
Find out how you can help, get links to breaking news, vital information,
and national opinions.
http://www.airtragedy.com/
Air Tragedy of September 11th
Informational United States Government Web sites and information.
http://www.ire.org/related/weblinksubject.html
American Tragedy- Your Help is Needed
Does your class want to do something? Let them contribute cash donations
to one of the relief organizations listed here.
http://helping.org/
Arab American Students in Public Schools
This AskERIC article describes how schools can help create a supportive
environment for Arab American students and contains information on the
Middle East.
http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed429144.html
Attack on America
Explaining the Inexplicable to your Students is the title of this
lesson plan from Education World. Includes many links to help begin the
healing process.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson244.shtml
Teaching Students about Terrorism and Related Resources
Ask ERIC has compiled a list of resources for educators and parents.
http://askeric.org/Virtual/Qa/archives/Subjects/Social_Studies/Current_Events/tragedy.html
Children and Responding to National Disaster
Information for Teachers from the National Association of School Psychologists.
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/terror_eds.html
Child Survivor of Traumatic Stress
Articles from this newsletter publication for professionals including
research, treatment, and links for helping children cope with trauma and
grief.
http://users.umassmed.edu/Kenneth.Fletcher/kidsurv.html
Crisis Information Kit
Set up by FEMA, The National Children’s Medical Center of Washington,
and Washington DC Public Schools including common reactions of children
of varying age groups, guidelines for minimizing the news, and involving
parents.
http://www.k12.dc.us/dcps/disaster_manual.htm
Critical Incident: Stress Information
Here are physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms to
watch for following a stressful, traumatic incident.
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/critical_incident.html
Coping with a National Tragedy
The National Association of School Psychologists has collected these resources.
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/crisis_0911.html
Disaster: Helping Children Cope
A handout for teachers outlining a teacher’s responsibility in
dealing with students’ reactions to disaster.
http://www.naspcenter.org/safe_schools/safeschools_disteach.html
Disaster Connection: Kids to Kids
FEMA helps connect students to other students as they share drawings
online.
http://www.fema.gov/kids/dr_ligon.htm
Discussions, Reassurances Mark Teachers’ Responses to Attacks
Article points out the importance of giving reassurance to balance
the facts, and finding ways to reach out to others who may also be grieving.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues194.shtml
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency assists with disasters all
over the United States.
http://www.fema.gov/
FEMA for Kids
Go to the What’s happening now? link for New York terrorist attack
info.
http://www.fema.gov/kids/
First Gov
United States government information and resources in response to
the September 11the events.
http://www.firstgov.gov/featured/usgresponse.html
Flag Etiquette
Many people are wanting to display the American Flag. Here are the
Rules of Flag Etiquette for you to share with others.
http://www.usflag.org/flag.etiquette.html
A Guide for Parents and Teachers
How can Parents and teachers help children cope with traumatic experiences?
This guide helps prepare adults in dealing with children from preschool
through adolescence.
http://www.mentalhealth.org/schoolviolence/parents.htm
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters
Resources from the National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/violence.cfm#top
Helping Children Cope with Tuesday’s Acts of Terrorism
Information for parents and teachers helping children deal with the
recent violent terrorist attacks.
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/terrorism.html
Helping Children deal with Scary News
Thoughts from Fred Rogers to help children deal with disasters.
http://pbskids.org/rogers/parents/sept11.htm
Helping Children Manage Strong Emotional Reactions
Tips for parents and teachers in helping students cope with anger.
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/anger.html
Helping Children Understand the Terrorist Attacks
These resources come from the US Department of Education.
http://www.ed.gov/inits/september11/index.html
Helping Families and Children Cope with this National Tragedy
The NEA has provided some ideas to help students cope.
http://www.nea.org/01crisis.html
Helping Young Children with Traumatic Events
Many young children get deeply upset over what they see on television.
Here are some guidelines to help provide support for young children from
AskERIC.
http://ericcass.uncg.edu/helping.html
How to Help Children After a Disaster
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these tips on
how to talk with children about what they are seeing on television after
the September 11 attack.
http://www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/EmergencyServices/helpchildren.htm
How Osama Bin Laden Works
His name has been in the news constantly as a likely suspect. Learn
who he is and what he has against the U.S. Presented by HowStuffWorks.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/bin-laden.htm
How Terrorism Works
HowStuffWorks offers a concise overview of both domestic and international
terrorism.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/terrorism.htm
National Emergency Assistance Team
NEAT is available to help children, parents, schools, and communities
cope with crisis offering services ranging from advice on the phone, to
training a network of professionals in crisis management preparation.
http://www.nasponline.org/neat/
National Organization for Victim Assistance
Find out what the NOVA crisis response team is doing to help terrorist
attack victims.
http://www.try-nova.org/
National School Safety and Security Services
School and community leaders may wish to consider the issues presented
here.
http://www.schoolsecurity.org/terrorist_response.html
Promoting Tolerance and Peace in Children
The National Association of School Psychologists offers these key
messages to promote tolerance and compassion in the wake of the September
11th terrorist attack.
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/tolerance.html
September 11, 2001
HowStuffWorks answers common questions regarding the events of September
11th including: What happened? Why were these explosions so
large? Who did it? Why did the WTC Towers collapse? What planes were involved?
http://www.howstuffworks.com/sept-eleven.htm
Suggested School Safety "Teachable Moment" Lesson
Lesson plan to help teachers deal with critical incidents, evaluate
school safety plans, and help students cope with traumatic incidents.
Included are adaptations for different grade levels.
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/teachmoment.html
Suggestions for Adults: Talking & Thinking with Children About
the Terrorist Attacks
http://www.ed.gov/inits/september11/adults.html
Suggestions for Educators: Meeting the Needs of Students
http://www.ed.gov/inits/september11/educators.html
Talking About Terrorism, Tragedy, and Resilience
Here are ideas for parents, teachers, and other family support professionals
for talking with children from the Virtual Library of the National Parent
Information Network.
http://npin.org/library/2001/n00578/n00578.html
Teachable Moments
National Council for the Social Studies provides this forum for educators
to share their ideas in helping children deal with the September 11th
terrorist attacks.
http://www.ncss.org/resources/moments.html
Teaching Students About Terrorism and Related ResourcesAskERIC
has compiled this list of resources for educators and parents to help
students cope with recent events.
http://askeric.org/Virtual/Qa/archives/Subjects/Social_Studies/Current_Events/tragedy.html
Terrorism and Children
The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder provides lists
of symptoms occurring in children at different age levels, suggestions
of what to tell children, and ideas for what parents can do.
http://www.ncptsd.org/facts/disasters/fs_children_disaster.html
Terrorism Research Center
Up-to-date headline coverage of the devastating attack against the
United States with links to the Department of State, FEMA, and others.
http://www.terrorism.com/homelandattack.shtml
Thank you Image Gallery
Look at photographs of shared grief from around the world gathered
and posted by Ryan Garland.
http://thankyou.fast-networks.net/
Time Magazine for Kids
Help students move forward toward healing and find out the latest
news information from this popular children’s magazine.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/classtime/storycover/0,6771,174710,00.html
The Trail of Evidence and the Warnings
PBS examines the suspected links between Osama Bin Laden’s international
terrorist network with attacks against the United States and the recent
attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/bombings/
Trauma and Children: a Parent Handout for Helping Children Heal
Very helpful information to get to parents to help with the healing
process from the National Association of Schol Psychologists.
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/ptsd.html
United States Flags to Print
http://www.printfree.com/AmericanFlags.htm
http://www.illusivewebdesign.com/myrally/flag/
Weekly Reader Spirit of America
Weekly Reader is providing this area of its web site to help children,
parents, and teachers deal with this momentous event in world history.
http://www.weeklyreader.com/america/
When Hate Hits Home: Talking to Your Kids About Terrorism
Tolerance.org consulted leading national experts to prepare this report
on talking to children about terrorism.
http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=272
When Terrorism is the Teacher
Linda Starr offers this article reminding us that despite the evils
of recent events, we can find positive lessons as well.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues196.shtml
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