• Behavioral Issues
• Child Care
• Cleaning Up After a Storm
• Communication
• Deciding To Stay Or Go
• Evacuation Shelters
• First Aid & Medical
• Flood Center
• Food and Water
• Help the Relief Effort
• Insurance Center
• Lighting & Power
• Pet Care
• Preparing Your Home
• Special Needs
• Storms Explained

Disasters: Understanding Children's Responses

• Children may be upset over the loss of a favorite toy, blanket, teddy bear or other items that adults might consider insignificant. They also may undergo a personality change — from being quiet, obedient and caring to loud, noisy, and aggressive or from outgoing to shy and afraid. Some children will experience nightmares or be afraid to sleep alone or with the light off. Other behavior changes could include:
  • Becoming easily upset, crying or whining.
    
  • Losing trust in adults because adults in their life were unable to control the disaster.
    
  • Reverting to younger behavior such as bedwetting or thumb sucking.
    
  • Not wanting parents out of their sight or refusal to go to school or childcare.
    
  • Feeling guilty that they caused the disaster by something they said or did.
    
• Parents should remember that the psychological effects of a natural disaster don't go away once the emergency has passed. Children can suffer from nightmares or other problems for up to two years after a disaster.
  
• Children are able to cope better with a traumatic event if parents, teachers and other adults support and help them with their experiences. Help should start as soon as possible after the event. Some children may never show distress because they don't feel upset, while others may not give evidence of being upset for several weeks or even months. Even if children do not show a change in behavior, they may still need your help. Parents should be on the lookout for signs that their kids need some extra counseling.

 

Additional Resources

For further information visit our articles on:

• "Signs of Stress in Young People"
• "Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents"
• "How to Find Help"