WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma), Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Education Reform, asks parents to be extra mindful of their children as we mourn the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew.

“All of us are struggling with the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia,” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey. “We will remember the sense of sorrow we felt for the remainder of our lives. This is true for adults, as well as, children.”

“Experts on children have studied the ways in which they react to stressful events. Their findings and recommendations can certainly be of help to parents, educators and other caring adults in this difficult time.”

The following is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:

                      Helping Children After a Disaster

A catastrophe such as an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, fire, flood, or violent acts is frightening to children and adults alike. It is important to acknowledge the frightening parts of the disaster when talking with a child about it. Falsely minimizing the danger will not end a child's concerns. Several factors affect a child's response to a disaster.

The way children see and understand their parents' responses are very important. Children are aware of their parents' worries most of the time, but they are particularly sensitive during a crisis. Parents should admit their concerns to their children, and also stress their abilities to cope with the situation.

A child's reaction also depends on how much destruction and/or death he or she sees during and after the disaster. If a friend or family member has been killed or seriously injured, or if the child's school or home has been severely damaged, there is a greater chance that the child will experience difficulties.

A child's age affects how the child will respond to the disaster. For example, six-year-olds may show their worries about a catastrophe by refusing to attend school, whereas adolescents may minimize their concerns, but argue more with parents and show a decline in school performance. It is important to explain the event in words the child can understand.

Following a disaster, people may develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is psychological damage that can result from experiencing, witnessing, or participating in an overwhelmingly traumatic (frightening) event. Children with this disorder have repeated episodes in which they re-experience the traumatic event. Children often relive the trauma through repetitive play.

In young children, upsetting dreams of the traumatic event may change into nightmares of monsters, of rescuing others, or of threats to self or others. PTSD rarely appears during the trauma itself. Though its symptoms can occur soon after the event, the disorder often surfaces several months or even years later.

Parents should be alert to these changes in a child's behavior: