Our hearts are broken for our families, colleagues, fellow child child care centres, first responders and our greater community who are living through the nightmares caused by the wildfire. These times are scary, unpredictable and can be very traumatic. Knowing how to support littles can be hard. We wanted to share some tips and websites we found helpful.
Some helpful websites:
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Story of Trinka and Sam Big Fire : this is a social story about wildfires, you can use it as a colouring book and to help littles organize what they are feeling and living. This story is a bit long, use the pages that you feel are applicable for your child and situation!
As you navigate this time with your children, here are some common reactions
- Feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry about safety of self and others (including pets):
o Children may have increased fears and worries about separation from family members
o Young children may become more clingy to parents, siblings, or teachers - Fears of wildfires spreading or new ones starting
- Distress and anxiety with reminders of the wildfires (e.g., burning smell, sounds of sirens or
helicopters, burnt landscape and buildings) - Changes in behavior:
o Increased activity level
o Decreased concentration and attention
o Increased irritability
o Withdrawal
o Angry outbursts
o Aggression - Increased physical complaints (e.g., headaches, stomachaches, aches and pains)
- Prolonged focus on the wildfires (e.g., talking repeatedly about it – young children may “play”
the event) - Changes in sleep and appetite
- Lack of interest in usual activities, including interest in playing with friends
- Changes in school performance
- Regressive behaviours in young children (e.g., baby talk, bedwetting, tantrums)
How Can I Help My Child?- Allow space for your child to express their emotions, be open to their fears and worries; be the safe haven for them. Acknowledging their emotions is the greatest power, you do not need to have answers or problem solve.
- It’s ok to share how you are feeling too, using appropriate word’s that your child would understand.
- Increase how and when you’re available to your child, both physically and emotionally. Offer play time and time for colouring, this is often how young children process through the world around them.
- Try to keep to a routine as much as possible, it will promote stability and help them feel safe.
- Set limits on access to news and social media
- Consuming ongoing tragic stories and images can be hard on anyone, even traumatizing.
- Provide reassurance
- The message should be “safety first.” Parents can say, “We’re going to stay safe. We can get another house; we can’t get another you.” Explain the roles of first responders and emergency agencies to help families if disaster strikes.
- Let kids help if you’re worried about your own home or community, let kids help. When things are chaotic, having a “job” can help keep thoughts from imposing fear and worry.
- If your family experiences a loss, share with your children how other people’s kindness will help you through hard times, and that things will get better. It is important to let children ask questions and to acknowledge their questions and validate their emotions. Be careful not to underestimate the loss that children may be experiencing.
- Be patient. Children may need a little extra patience and attention during these times. They may
- need added reminders or extra help with chores or homework once school is in session as they
- may be more distracted.
- Give support at bedtime. Children may become anxious when they separate from their parents,
- in particular at bedtime. First try to spend more time with your child at bed time with such
- activities as reading a book. It’s okay to make a temporary arrangement for young children to
- sleep with you, but with the understanding that they will go back to normal sleeping
- arrangements at a set future date.
- Monitor adult conversations. Be aware of what is being said during adult conversations about
- the wildfires and its aftermath. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened
- unnecessarily about something they do not understand.
Things I Can Do for Myself- Take care of yourself. Make sure you take good physical care of yourself, including eating well,
sleeping well, getting exercise, and receiving proper medical care. - Listen to each other. Parents and other caregivers should provide support for each other during
this time. - Give yourself a break. Try not to overdo clean-up activities. These activities may include lifting
heavy items or working for extended periods of time. Using moderation when doing such work
can reduce injury.
Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
http://www.NCTSN.org
allegrochildcare.ca 