Children often think things are worse than they really are. Ask him why he doesn't feel safe. Have him tell you what would help him feel safe. You may not know why he is afraid. Drawings and toys can help children share feelings. Have your child draw or paint a picture about how he feels. This may tell you more than his words will. Usually, just knowing that parents are listening makes children feel better.

Children often think things are worse than they really are. Ask him why he doesn't feel safe. Have him tell you what would help him feel safe. You may not know why he is afraid. Drawings and toys can help children share feelings. Have your child draw or paint a picture about how he feels. This may tell you more than his words will. Usually, just knowing that parents are listening makes children feel better.

Children usually fear the unknown. Not knowing what will happen or what to do makes them feel helpless. To help your daughter over her fear, find ways that give her more control and a better understanding about the disaster.

Here are some things you can do:

• Teach her how hurricanes are made and that she cannot cause them.

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a web site to help children prepare for emergencies. The site offers fun games and quizzes on all kinds of natural disasters. (http://www.fema.gov/kids/index.htm ). If you don't have a computer at home, visit your local library.

• Make a family plan for staying safe in any kind of disaster. Give each family member a job to do in case of a hurricane. Let your child help with the plan.

• Practice your plan.

• Make a Family Emergency Supply Kit. Include candles, matches, a flashlight, extra batteries, battery operated radio, canned foods, peanut butter, non-electric can opener, extra clothes and shoes. Ask your daughter to help collect or buy the items that you need. Store the kit in an airtight container. Call your local Red Cross for other ideas and information.

Children usually fear the unknown. Not knowing what will happen or what to do makes them feel helpless. To help your daughter over her fear, find ways that give her more control and a better understanding about the disaster.

Here are some things you can do:

• Teach her how hurricanes are made and that she cannot cause them.

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a web site to help children prepare for emergencies. The site offers fun games and quizzes on all kinds of natural disasters. (http://www.fema.gov/kids/index.htm ). If you don't have a computer at home, visit your local library.

• Make a family plan for staying safe in any kind of disaster. Give each family member a job to do in case of a hurricane. Let your child help with the plan.

• Practice your plan.

• Make a Family Emergency Supply Kit. Include candles, matches, a flashlight, extra batteries, battery operated radio, canned foods, peanut butter, non-electric can opener, extra clothes and shoes. Ask your daughter to help collect or buy the items that you need. Store the kit in an airtight container. Call your local Red Cross for other ideas and information.

Ask them what would make them feel better. Children feel powerful when they can solve their own problems. Learning how to handle their fears now will help them all their lives. Here are some other ideas:

• Make Kids Treasure Bags to help them when they feel upset or afraid. Have each child fill a cloth grocery bag with ‘treasures' that remind him that he is safe and loved. These could be pictures of grandparents, a favorite rock or scout medals, an old stuffed animal, pictures he drew of a family vacation, or an old baby blanket. Use the bags for quiet time.

• Re-tell stories that you know comfort each child. Find books that show other children facing and solving their problems. These books tell children that they can also solve their problems. Talk to your librarian or bookstore clerk for book ideas.

• Use play to help them learn and practice ways to cope. Puppets, stuffed animals and play dough really help children work out their fears. You could also use the puppet or stuffed animal to help them act out what to do in an emergency. For example, have them make a teddy bear show what to do if there is a tornado.

• Let them call or visit loved ones. Friends and relatives can also help your child feel better.

• Give lots of TLC (tender loving care). Extra hugs and attention are important in times of crisis.

• Let them work off their worries physically. Swimming, running around the block, and biking are just a few ways to do this.

If your children's problems keep them from daily activities, think about getting professional help.

Ask them what would make them feel better. Children feel powerful when they can solve their own problems. Learning how to handle their fears now will help them all their lives. Here are some other ideas:

• Make Kids Treasure Bags to help them when they feel upset or afraid. Have each child fill a cloth grocery bag with ‘treasures' that remind him that he is safe and loved. These could be pictures of grandparents, a favorite rock or scout medals, an old stuffed animal, pictures he drew of a family vacation, or an old baby blanket. Use the bags for quiet time.

• Re-tell stories that you know comfort each child. Find books that show other children facing and solving their problems. These books tell children that they can also solve their problems. Talk to your librarian or bookstore clerk for book ideas.

• Use play to help them learn and practice ways to cope. Puppets, stuffed animals and play dough really help children work out their fears. You could also use the puppet or stuffed animal to help them act out what to do in an emergency. For example, have them make a teddy bear show what to do if there is a tornado.

• Let them call or visit loved ones. Friends and relatives can also help your child feel better.

• Give lots of TLC (tender loving care). Extra hugs and attention are important in times of crisis.

• Let them work off their worries physically. Swimming, running around the block, and biking are just a few ways to do this.

If your children's problems keep them from daily activities, think about getting professional help.

Have open talk time with them. Let them talk about the things that they fear and don't understand. Tell them what has happened in a way that they can handle. Try not to scare them, but be honest. If children think that you are hiding something, they may become scared and lose trust in you. Tell them that it is all right to feel a little scared and that you will do what you can to keep them safe. Talk about other people who can help keep them safe like teachers, police officers, soldiers, firefighters, as well as the President.

Children feel less afraid when they think that they have some control in their world. Let them pick out what they will wear the next day or choose what to eat for dinner. Think about letting them volunteer in your community.

Keep to your normal schedule as much as possible. Children like and need routines.

Be careful about how much news they watch.

Help your child continue to enjoy life and have fun in daily activities. In fact, it is important that they do so.

Have open talk time with them. Let them talk about the things that they fear and don't understand. Tell them what has happened in a way that they can handle. Try not to scare them, but be honest. If children think that you are hiding something, they may become scared and lose trust in you. Tell them that it is all right to feel a little scared and that you will do what you can to keep them safe. Talk about other people who can help keep them safe like teachers, police officers, soldiers, firefighters, as well as the President.

Children feel less afraid when they think that they have some control in their world. Let them pick out what they will wear the next day or choose what to eat for dinner. Think about letting them volunteer in your community.

Keep to your normal schedule as much as possible. Children like and need routines.

Be careful about how much news they watch.

Help your child continue to enjoy life and have fun in daily activities. In fact, it is important that they do so.

How have you reacted to these events? Children pick up on their parents' feelings and copy them. They often reflect how we feel. If you are worried, they will be too. It's all right to let your children know that you are feeling sad and worried, but not powerless or hopeless. This turns their world upside down and frightens them. Parents need to show children that they can still handle things even if they don't know all the answers.

It is normal for children to worry about violence. Deep sadness, worry, and high anxiety are not normal. If you see this behavior for several weeks, you might want to seek help.

How have you reacted to these events? Children pick up on their parents' feelings and copy them. They often reflect how we feel. If you are worried, they will be too. It's all right to let your children know that you are feeling sad and worried, but not powerless or hopeless. This turns their world upside down and frightens them. Parents need to show children that they can still handle things even if they don't know all the answers.

It is normal for children to worry about violence. Deep sadness, worry, and high anxiety are not normal. If you see this behavior for several weeks, you might want to seek help.

It is normal for children to have dreams about what is happening around them. This is a time when extra love and attention are important. Give her extra hugs and kisses or back rubs. Spend more time with her doing things that are comforting. For younger children, try spending more time putting them to bed, brushing their hair or sitting with them until they go to sleep. Extra stuffed toys or an extra night-light may also help.

This is a time to really listen to her so that you understand how she feels. During times of crisis, we are so busy with our own problems that we may forget to listen to our children. Let your child know that it is all right to be sad or angry and that it is okay to cry. Ask your child if there is anything that you can do to help her feel better.

It is normal for children to have dreams about what is happening around them. This is a time when extra love and attention are important. Give her extra hugs and kisses or back rubs. Spend more time with her doing things that are comforting. For younger children, try spending more time putting them to bed, brushing their hair or sitting with them until they go to sleep. Extra stuffed toys or an extra night-light may also help.

This is a time to really listen to her so that you understand how she feels. During times of crisis, we are so busy with our own problems that we may forget to listen to our children. Let your child know that it is all right to be sad or angry and that it is okay to cry. Ask your child if there is anything that you can do to help her feel better.

Some children try to hide how they feel about painful issues by refusing to talk or pretending not to care. You can't force your child to talk, but you can give her opportunities. Very young children often find it easier to talk while playing. Use puppets, stuffed animals or drawing to help your child talk to you. Older children may open up if they are riding in a car, playing a game of catch, or washing the car. Talk with the school to see if they plan to offer grief counseling for the students.

The sooner you are able to get your child to open up and talk about her feelings the sooner she can heal. Respect your daughter's way of coping. Try writing her a note to say why you think she should talk to someone. Give her some options, including: who to talk to (parent, clergy, counselor, other family member, etc.), when to talk (today, tomorrow, next Tuesday?), and where (alone in the family room, in a larger family meeting, while taking a walk, etc.).

Some children try to hide how they feel about painful issues by refusing to talk or pretending not to care. You can't force your child to talk, but you can give her opportunities. Very young children often find it easier to talk while playing. Use puppets, stuffed animals or drawing to help your child talk to you. Older children may open up if they are riding in a car, playing a game of catch, or washing the car. Talk with the school to see if they plan to offer grief counseling for the students.

The sooner you are able to get your child to open up and talk about her feelings the sooner she can heal. Respect your daughter's way of coping. Try writing her a note to say why you think she should talk to someone. Give her some options, including: who to talk to (parent, clergy, counselor, other family member, etc.), when to talk (today, tomorrow, next Tuesday?), and where (alone in the family room, in a larger family meeting, while taking a walk, etc.).

Demonstrate
Be a role model for your child. She will learn a lot about how to act with others by seeing how you treat other people. Here are some suggestions:

• Tell your child the many things you love about her.

• Ask her to help you deliver flowers and treats to a nursing home.

• Take her with you to the new neighbors when you go to introduce yourself and welcome them to the neighborhood.

Communicate
Talk with your child about her own behaviors. Ask your child to talk with you when she feels she has been kind or unkind to another person. Talk about the feelings involved-both hers and the other person's. Consider the following examples:

• Your daughter tells you, "Some of my friends and I were playing kick ball today. Maria wanted to play, too, but no one wanted her on their team because she's not very good." Ask your daughter how Maria seemed to feel about that. How would your daughter feel if she were the one left out?

• Your daughter tells you that she helped the teacher straighten the bookshelves after school, even though it wasn't her job. Ask her how the teacher reacted. How did it feel to be a helper without even being asked?

Ask your child about her classmates. Talk with her about the children that don't seem to "fit in" as well. Ask her why she thinks that is. For example, she may tell you:

• Anya wears funny clothes.

• Tommy is hyper and he is always in trouble.

• Jenny can't say the Pledge of Allegiance because of her religion. Ask her how she thinks these children feel when they are teased or left out. Help her to think of ways to reach out to them.

Practice
After thinking of ways to reach out, your daughter may decide to:

• Ask Jenny about her religion so she can understand it better. Invite Jenny over one day after school to play.

• Sit by Maria at lunch or play together at recess.

• Stand up for Anya when she's being picked on.

Your daughter may need help practicing. She may want to role play with you. Ask her what she thinks will be difficult about reaching out to other children.

• She may say that other children are going to make fun of her too if she invites Jenny to her house or sits by Maria at lunch.

• She may wonder how to stand up for Anya.

Practice general responses
When she stands up for Anya, she might say:

• It's not fair to make fun of someone just because they dress differently.

• I don't like what you just said. It sounds like you are making assumptions about someone you don't even know.

If children tease her about sitting with Maria or playing with Jenny, she might say:

• I can have many different friends.

• Everyone is important and special, not just the popular kids.

• I am glad there are many different people in our school. It's fun to have different types of friends.

Reaching out can be a little scary. It requires courage for a child not to join in the teasing when there is pressure to do so. A child must be especially brave to speak out when she feels someone is being treated unfairly. Practice is important so that your child can feel confident when the time comes. Remember to let your child know how proud of her you are. As she watches you reach out to people and treat them kindly, she will learn from your example, and she will be proud of you.

Demonstrate
Be a role model for your child. She will learn a lot about how to act with others by seeing how you treat other people. Here are some suggestions:

• Tell your child the many things you love about her.

• Ask her to help you deliver flowers and treats to a nursing home.

• Take her with you to the new neighbors when you go to introduce yourself and welcome them to the neighborhood.

Communicate
Talk with your child about her own behaviors. Ask your child to talk with you when she feels she has been kind or unkind to another person. Talk about the feelings involved-both hers and the other person's. Consider the following examples:

• Your daughter tells you, "Some of my friends and I were playing kick ball today. Maria wanted to play, too, but no one wanted her on their team because she's not very good." Ask your daughter how Maria seemed to feel about that. How would your daughter feel if she were the one left out?

• Your daughter tells you that she helped the teacher straighten the bookshelves after school, even though it wasn't her job. Ask her how the teacher reacted. How did it feel to be a helper without even being asked?

Ask your child about her classmates. Talk with her about the children that don't seem to "fit in" as well. Ask her why she thinks that is. For example, she may tell you:

• Anya wears funny clothes.

• Tommy is hyper and he is always in trouble.

• Jenny can't say the Pledge of Allegiance because of her religion. Ask her how she thinks these children feel when they are teased or left out. Help her to think of ways to reach out to them.

Practice
After thinking of ways to reach out, your daughter may decide to:

• Ask Jenny about her religion so she can understand it better. Invite Jenny over one day after school to play.

• Sit by Maria at lunch or play together at recess.

• Stand up for Anya when she's being picked on.

Your daughter may need help practicing. She may want to role play with you. Ask her what she thinks will be difficult about reaching out to other children.

• She may say that other children are going to make fun of her too if she invites Jenny to her house or sits by Maria at lunch.

• She may wonder how to stand up for Anya.

Practice general responses
When she stands up for Anya, she might say:

• It's not fair to make fun of someone just because they dress differently.

• I don't like what you just said. It sounds like you are making assumptions about someone you don't even know.

If children tease her about sitting with Maria or playing with Jenny, she might say:

• I can have many different friends.

• Everyone is important and special, not just the popular kids.

• I am glad there are many different people in our school. It's fun to have different types of friends.

Reaching out can be a little scary. It requires courage for a child not to join in the teasing when there is pressure to do so. A child must be especially brave to speak out when she feels someone is being treated unfairly. Practice is important so that your child can feel confident when the time comes. Remember to let your child know how proud of her you are. As she watches you reach out to people and treat them kindly, she will learn from your example, and she will be proud of you.

It is important to encourage children to share their feelings. It is just as important to understand when they don't want to talk. The fact that children continue to play and have fun can be comforting to parents. It is healthy for children to act normally.

• Make sure children know you are approachable. Tell them that they can talk to you about their feelings. If you cannot answer their questions, you can look for the answers together.

• Help children find creative outlets. Drawing, dancing, music and playing with puppets and dolls are all ways that children can express themselves. Sometimes children can't put their feelings into words. Creative play might help them find an outlet for their emotions.

It is important to encourage children to share their feelings. It is just as important to understand when they don't want to talk. The fact that children continue to play and have fun can be comforting to parents. It is healthy for children to act normally.

• Make sure children know you are approachable. Tell them that they can talk to you about their feelings. If you cannot answer their questions, you can look for the answers together.

• Help children find creative outlets. Drawing, dancing, music and playing with puppets and dolls are all ways that children can express themselves. Sometimes children can't put their feelings into words. Creative play might help them find an outlet for their emotions.

In times of crisis and tragedy, it is important to keep things as normal as possible. Keeping the same meal times, bed times, and other daily routines can help children feel secure because they know what to expect. Allow some flexibility for any extra needs your child might have. For example, a child may want to add a prayer for the victims to his/her bedtime routine. Or, if extracurricular activities are canceled, the child may want to spend that time drawing pictures or writing letters about the crisis.

In times of crisis and tragedy, it is important to keep things as normal as possible. Keeping the same meal times, bed times, and other daily routines can help children feel secure because they know what to expect. Allow some flexibility for any extra needs your child might have. For example, a child may want to add a prayer for the victims to his/her bedtime routine. Or, if extracurricular activities are canceled, the child may want to spend that time drawing pictures or writing letters about the crisis.

Share your own feelings with your children. This shows them that it is okay to share feelings. Children can benefit from hearing that you, too, are upset, sad, scared, and angry. However, be careful not to overwhelm children.

Share your feelings with other adults. Adults should not lean on children for support. They look to adults for security. A child can benefit from seeing a parent's emotions. However, showing too much emotion can scare a child. Therefore, it is important that adults have their own support system.

Share your own feelings with your children. This shows them that it is okay to share feelings. Children can benefit from hearing that you, too, are upset, sad, scared, and angry. However, be careful not to overwhelm children.

Share your feelings with other adults. Adults should not lean on children for support. They look to adults for security. A child can benefit from seeing a parent's emotions. However, showing too much emotion can scare a child. Therefore, it is important that adults have their own support system.

Children need reassurance. Be honest but comforting. Tell children what you are doing to keep them safe. Ask them what would help them feel safer. Most importantly, remind children that you love them and always will.

Children need reassurance. Be honest but comforting. Tell children what you are doing to keep them safe. Ask them what would help them feel safer. Most importantly, remind children that you love them and always will.

Children may be very worried about people hurt in the tragedies. It is good for children to feel for others. Children may want to help. They may want to write letters or draw pictures to express their feelings. They may want to help organize a fundraiser. Let children be creative and support their efforts to be helpful.

Children may be very worried about people hurt in the tragedies. It is good for children to feel for others. Children may want to help. They may want to write letters or draw pictures to express their feelings. They may want to help organize a fundraiser. Let children be creative and support their efforts to be helpful.

This is a good time to teach children about prejudice. It is important for children to learn that it is wrong to blame a whole group of people for what one person, or a few people, may have done.

This is a good time to teach children about prejudice. It is important for children to learn that it is wrong to blame a whole group of people for what one person, or a few people, may have done.

It depends on her age. Experts say that it might be frightening for children under 10 to watch the news or for it to be on when the children are nearby. Older children are able to understand more about news and the different views of the parties involved. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Even very young children can understand when something bad has happened. Infants may sense that their parents are upset. Toddlers and preschoolers can tell from pictures and video that someone has been hurt or that property has been destroyed.

Young children can't tell the difference between fantasy and real events. They may react differently to news reports. For example, some children may believe that the news is just like other pretend shows they see on television-they are very far away and didn't really happen.

Other children may react more strongly to the news. They may be afraid that a character from a scary movie will attack them in their sleep. They might also be afraid that the events will happen to them or someone they know.

Children at this age believe that everything has something to do with them. They may think that they did something to make terrible things happen. It is important to tell children that they had nothing to do with a bad event. "That happened in a city far away. It did not happen because of anything you did, thought, or said."

School-aged children
School-aged children have very active minds. Although some children can tell what is real from what isn't, many of them think that the bad things will happen to them. For example, a child who watches the news about a fire in town may understand that the fire destroyed someone's property. However, he may begin thinking that a fire will destroy his family's home, even though the chance is very small as long as his family does things to be safe.

Adolescents
Teens can think and talk more about events. They can tell truth from untruth. They can understand that the groups involved have different views and may have different reasons for what they are doing. You can help teenagers use their critical thinking skills by asking them questions: What really happened and what evidence is there? What are the pros/cons for each party involved?

It depends on her age. Experts say that it might be frightening for children under 10 to watch the news or for it to be on when the children are nearby. Older children are able to understand more about news and the different views of the parties involved. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Even very young children can understand when something bad has happened. Infants may sense that their parents are upset. Toddlers and preschoolers can tell from pictures and video that someone has been hurt or that property has been destroyed.

Young children can't tell the difference between fantasy and real events. They may react differently to news reports. For example, some children may believe that the news is just like other pretend shows they see on television-they are very far away and didn't really happen.

Other children may react more strongly to the news. They may be afraid that a character from a scary movie will attack them in their sleep. They might also be afraid that the events will happen to them or someone they know.

Children at this age believe that everything has something to do with them. They may think that they did something to make terrible things happen. It is important to tell children that they had nothing to do with a bad event. "That happened in a city far away. It did not happen because of anything you did, thought, or said."

School-aged children
School-aged children have very active minds. Although some children can tell what is real from what isn't, many of them think that the bad things will happen to them. For example, a child who watches the news about a fire in town may understand that the fire destroyed someone's property. However, he may begin thinking that a fire will destroy his family's home, even though the chance is very small as long as his family does things to be safe.

Adolescents
Teens can think and talk more about events. They can tell truth from untruth. They can understand that the groups involved have different views and may have different reasons for what they are doing. You can help teenagers use their critical thinking skills by asking them questions: What really happened and what evidence is there? What are the pros/cons for each party involved?

Talk with your child about national events like you would about other difficult topics. Find out how much information she needs. A good starting point is to ask her what she already knows. Explain what happened in a very simple way. "Donna, some bad things happened today in ______. What do you understand about that news? What do you think about it? How does it make you feel? Do you have any questions about what is happening or what might happen? You may have questions later about what happened. I want you to know that you can always talk with me about anything that concerns you." If she has more questions, give her simple and truthful answers. If you do not know the answers to her questions, you can offer to find the answers together.

Talk with your child about national events like you would about other difficult topics. Find out how much information she needs. A good starting point is to ask her what she already knows. Explain what happened in a very simple way. "Donna, some bad things happened today in ______. What do you understand about that news? What do you think about it? How does it make you feel? Do you have any questions about what is happening or what might happen? You may have questions later about what happened. I want you to know that you can always talk with me about anything that concerns you." If she has more questions, give her simple and truthful answers. If you do not know the answers to her questions, you can offer to find the answers together.

Watch the news with your child. Once your child is old enough to watch the news, watch it together. Doing so will give you a better idea of what he or she knows about world events.

Don't watch news video over and over. Although we often want to know as much as possible about what is happening, continuously watching the same upsetting pictures can frighten a child (and is probably not helpful for adults either).

Take time to talk about the events. Make sure that you choose a time and place where neither of you will be disturbed. Ask your child what she has heard or knows about the events. What questions does she have? This is also a time for parents to discuss their own ideas and values with their children.

Reassure your child. Although there are no guarantees in life, tell him that you will do your best to keep him safe. Tell him that you love him and always will.

Watch the news with your child. Once your child is old enough to watch the news, watch it together. Doing so will give you a better idea of what he or she knows about world events.

Don't watch news video over and over. Although we often want to know as much as possible about what is happening, continuously watching the same upsetting pictures can frighten a child (and is probably not helpful for adults either).

Take time to talk about the events. Make sure that you choose a time and place where neither of you will be disturbed. Ask your child what she has heard or knows about the events. What questions does she have? This is also a time for parents to discuss their own ideas and values with their children.

Reassure your child. Although there are no guarantees in life, tell him that you will do your best to keep him safe. Tell him that you love him and always will.

Although the news covers a lot of bad events, reporters also look for positive ways that people are dealing with tragedy. You can show him how the community is working to help those hurt by the tragedy, like with fundraisers or food drives. Although bad events may make people angry and afraid, the work of the many heroes and helpers can help children feel hopeful and proud.

Although the news covers a lot of bad events, reporters also look for positive ways that people are dealing with tragedy. You can show him how the community is working to help those hurt by the tragedy, like with fundraisers or food drives. Although bad events may make people angry and afraid, the work of the many heroes and helpers can help children feel hopeful and proud.