Responding to Children's Fears

The Psalmist says,
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

until the destroying storms pass by." (Psalm 57, NRSV)

Consoling children following a traumatic event can be overwhelming for the adults caring for them. If you are looking for resources to support children following a crisis or disaster, or even during a crisis, you may find these links helpful:

Comprehensive Resource List
A Resource List for Helping Children Cope with Disasters – Discipleship Ministries

Pamphlet for Ministers, Teachers, and Parents
Helping Children Cope and Heal – Discipleship Ministries

Videos and Audio Stories for Parents and Children
Helping Children Cope with Hurricane Sandy – Here and Now (PRI)
Fred Rogers on Scary News from PBS
Elmo Explains Hurricane Sandy – Brian Lehrer and Sesame Street

Articles for Teachers, Parents, and Ministers
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event from Child Mind Institute
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News from Child Mind Institute
Helping Children Cope with Trauma and Stress by Jamie Howard, PhD
Talking to Children About Natural Disasters – American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Resources for AFTER the Event
Planning for Post-Disaster Reconstruction with Children – from Save the Children

Resources for Preschools
Preschool Planning and Response – NAEYC

Books for Children
Water Bugs & Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young Children by Doris Stickney
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia
Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll by Franklyn M. Branley
To Everything by Bob Barner
Humphrey's Bear by Jan Wahl, and illustrated by William Joyce
Hurricane by David Wiesner
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams