By Brittaini Howard, Daily Herald, March 15, 2020
Coronavirus talk is rampant on the school playground, and many children are returning home frightened. Events like the Coronavirus pandemic provide a sobering opportunity for parents to reevaluate how they help their children cope with trauma. Traumatic events are those that are threatening to a child’s safety and can be scary, dangerous, or violent in nature. These may include physical abuse, emotional abuse, natural disasters, loss of a loved one, and witnessing or experiencing violence.
Having strong reactions immediately following a traumatic event is normal. Children may respond with fear, anxiety, sadness, guilt, confusion, and even anger. These reactions are influenced by how close a child was to the event, the child’s developmental level, and the amount of family and community support he or she received.
Children who have experienced a traumatic event are at an increased risk for psychological, behavioral, and academic problems. Parents can be extremely influential in their child’s perception of safety after a traumatic event. They should respond with care and compassion when a child experiences trauma. Here are some things parents can do to emotionally support their child after a traumatic event...
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