The school district is making available to the public a compilation of resources on how to speak with children about disaster.
By: Michael Arges
Parents are not alone as they talk to their children about the World Trade Center disaster. One resource for parents and teachers is Supportive Resources for Teachers and Parents Coping with Disaster, a compilation of resources produced by the curriculum office of the East Windsor Regional School District.
The booklet is available to be checked out or consulted at district schools, and the district also plans to make it available through local public libraries, district Chief School Administrator David Witmer said Wednesday.
The booklet includes advice about talking to children about grief, anxiety, violence and even the spiritual dimension of disasters such as that suffered on Sept. 11.
"It gives you some literature resources that you might want to check out with your child fictional things that may parallel some of the events or issues that your child may be dealing with," commented Norine Seiden, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Children these days are used to dealing with critical issues through literature, she added.
"There are ways to talk with your child: What’s appropriate for a 5-year-old, what’s appropriate for a 6-year-old," Ms. Seiden said. "Most parents know that, but sometimes you just like to be affirmed and know that what you’re doing is really the right thing."
"They’re certainly not meant as guides; they’re meant as resources," Ms. Seiden noted. "Use them if you think they are helpful and will help you."
The booklet includes materials from a great variety of sources, including the National Association of School Psychologists, the Department of Jewish Education of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and the National Education Association.
There is information about the stages of grief as they are experienced by children of different ages. There is also information about using the event as a "teachable moment," about using discussions of the tragedy to instill and reinforce positive values in children.