Helping after a Tragedy

Dear Maryln,

Our students went through the hurricane and are returning to school. Do you have any suggestions I may share with my students? Thanks for all your ideas.

P.K.


Dear P.K.,

I think the best thing is to know that some of them may still be in shock. I have seen adults who are in shock. It was a frightening experience, and even more so, for children.

They will take their attitudes from you, so be reassuring. Talk about the positives that happened as a result of the hurricane. Get them to tell their stories of people helping others.

Let them share their feelings. It always helps to know others felt the same way too. But always end on a positive note on how safe the children are in your classroom, and how much you care, and the good things that happened too as a result of the hurricane.

Be patient with some children who take longer to get into the routine.
Provide lots of structure during this time when there has been so little structure because of the hurricane.

Best wishes.
Maryln