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How Can Parents Help Their Children Cope More Effectively with a Disaster?
Fully produced report in:
mp3PRO format
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Audio 9.2 format
(80 seconds)
-- How Will You Use This Story? --
(OPEN):
AS THE NATION'S CHILDREN HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, THE
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS IS OFFERING ADVICE TO PARENTS--ON
HOW THEY CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN COPE MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH A DISASTER.
DOCTOR THOMAS MCINERNY ["MACK-EN-ERNIE"] IS THE ACADEMY'S
PRESIDENT...
(MCINERNY):
"FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, PROVIDE CONCRETE-EXPLANATIONS OF WHAT
HAPPENED--AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT THEM. ALSO, SHARE WITH THEM ALL [OF]
THE STEPS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN TO KEEP THEM SAFE; THAT'S BECAUSE CHILDREN
WILL OFTEN WORRY THAT A DISASTER WILL OCCUR AGAIN. NO MATTER WHAT AGE,
START BY ASKING YOUR CHILDREN WHAT THEY ALREADY KNOW, AND WHAT QUESTIONS
THEY HAVE; THEN, USE THAT AS A GUIDE FOR THE CONVERSATION. LIMIT
MEDIA-COVERAGE OF THE DISASTER--SINCE CHILDREN DON'T BENEFIT FROM
GRAPHIC-DETAILS, OR FROM EXPOSURE TO DISTURBING IMAGES AND SOUNDS.
ALSO, BE SURE TO ASK YOUR CHILDREN WHAT QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS THEY HAVE--AND
REASSURE THEM, WHEN YOU'RE ABLE TO DO SO. BUT, IF THEIR FEARS ARE
REALISTIC, DON'T GIVE FALSE REASSURANCE; INSTEAD, HELP THEM LEARN HOW TO
COPE WITH THESE FEELINGS. AND, DON'T FORGET TO TALK WITH YOUR
PEDIATRICIAN, ABOUT ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE."
(CLOSE):
DOCTOR MCINERNY ALSO URGES PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, TEACHERS, AND OTHER
SCHOOL-PERSONNEL TO VISIT
"HEALTHY-CHILDREN"-DOT-ORG, FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
