Caring for Children in Troubled Times
Resources for School-Age Children
We will continue adding resources to this site. If you have suggestions or comments, please contact us.
Resources developed specifically in response to the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks are in bold print. Other resources address issues more generally.
"Do What You Can Where You Are" Sonya Yankoglu & Lauren Flick - an activity book for children "to help our youngest Americans to identify and explore their fear, confusion, and sadness."
Talking to Children about Violence and Other Sensitive and Complex Issues in the World, Educators for Social Responsibility - Answers to many frequently asked questions
Reactions and Guidelines for Children Following Trauma/Disaster, American Psychological Association
Suggestions for Adults: Talking and Thinking with Children about the Terrorist Attacks U.S. Dept. of Education
Being Diligent: Moving Beyond Crisis, National Education Association
Talking with Children During Tough Times Judith Myers-Walls, Purdue University Extension - also available in Spanish
Talking to Children about Terrorism (general guidelines) Judith Myers-Walls, Purdue University Extension - also available in Spanish
Talking to Children about Terrorism: By the Numbers (age-appropriate responses) Judith Myers-Walls, Purdue University Extension
Parenting in the Wake of Terrorism Judith Myers-Walls, Purdue University Extension - also available in Spanish
Talking to Kids about Terrorism or Acts of War Robin F. Goodman, New York University Child Study Center
Talking About Terrorism and War Alvin Poussaint, M.D. and Susan Linn, Ed.D., The Learning Network
Helping Kids Cope in a Time of Crisis and Fear Katy Abel, The Learning Network
Children and Responding to National Disaster: Information for Parents National Association of School Psychologists
What to Tell Your Child About Prejudice and Discrimination (also available in Spanish) National PTA
Recognizing and dealing with stress and trauma in young children
Coping with Traumatic Events: Terrorist Attacks in the United States - Special Comments for Children and Youth - Special Comments for Teachers and School Personnel Bruce Perry, ChildTrauma Academy
Children, Stress and Natural Disasters, Lynne Borden and Aaron T. Ebata, University of Illinois Cooperative Extension (although the title refers to natural disasters, the materials are equally helpful for unnatural disasters, such as the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11)
Recognizing Stress in Children Karen DeBord, North Carolina State University Extension
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters National Institutes of Mental Health
Terrorism and Children National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - symptoms of stress in children and suggestions for parents and caregivers in responding to children
Preventing Hate in the Face of Terrorism Susan Linn, The Learning Network
Activities that Promote Racial and Cultural Awareness, Barbara Biles, National Network for Child Care
101 Tools for Tolerance, tolerance.org - suggestions for home, school, work and community
Our Response to the Attack on America: What Can It Teach Children About Understanding and Revenge James Garbarino, Cornell University
Listing from Kidsnet of upcoming TV programming developed for children and teens in response to the terrorist attacks.
Terrorism, TV and Our Children James Van Horn, Pennsylvania State University Extension
The Effects of Media Coverage of the Terrorist Attack on the Community National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
For children
- A Terrible Thing Happened - A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma, Margaret Homes
- The Story of Ruby Bridges, Robert Cole
- Why Did It Happen? Janice Cohn
- All My Feelings: A Story for Children Who Have Felt the Impact of Crime or Trauma, Debra Whiting Alexander
- Don't Go!: A Story for Children Experiencing Separation Anxiety Following Crime or Trauma, Debra Whiting Alexander
- I Can't Remember: A Story for Children Feeling the Effects of Crime or Trauma, Debra Whiting Alexander
- It Happened to Me: A Story for Child Victims of Crime or Trauma, Debra Whiting Alexander
- Something Bad Happened: A Story for Children Who Have Felt the Impact of Crime or Trauma, Debra Whiting Alexander
- What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? Trevor Romain & Elizabeth Verdick
- We Can Get Along: A Child's Book of Choices Lauren Murphy Payne & Claudia Rohling
- Everybody has Feelings: Todos Tenemos Sentimientos: The Moods of Children, Charles Avery
For adults
crisis response
- Attack on the U.S.: Crisis Manual New York University Child Study Center (available in PDF - 44 pg)
children and violence
- Let's Talk About Living in a World with Violence: An Activity Book for School-Age Children, James Garbarino
- Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Violence by Dominic Cappello
promoting tolerance and peace
- Teaching Values Reaching Kids: Character Education to Help Teach Honesty, Respect, Cooperation, Perseverance, Compassion, Responsibility, Courage, and Tolerance, Linda Schwartz
- Teaching Peace: How to Raise Children to Live in Harmony Jan Arnow
- Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice Caryl Stern-LaRosa & Ellen Hofheimer Bettman
understanding and helping children
- Once Upon a Time: Therapeutic Stories that Teach and Heal, Nancy Davis
- Children and Trauma: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, Cynthia Monahan
- When Nothing Makes Sense: Disaster, Crisis and Their Effects on Children, Gerald Deskin & Greg Steckler
- The Moral Life of Children and The Political Life of Children, Robert Coles - based on Dr. Coles research based on interviews with children around the world
Myths About Muslim American Families, University of Illinois Cooperative Extension
"Beyond Blame: Reacting to the Terrorist Attack" - Education Development Center - free 30-page curriculum for middle and high school students focused on issues of justice and mislaid blame. Also available in Spanish.
"Do What You Can Where You Are" Sonya Yankoglu & Lauren Flick - an activity book for children "to help our youngest Americans to identify and explore their fear, confusion, and sadness."
Coping with Traumatic Events: Terrorist Attacks in the United States Bruce Perry, ChildTrauma Academy
Suggestions for Educators: Meeting the Needs of Students (also in Spanish) U.S. Dept. of Education
For Teachers: Talking about the Terrorist Attacks, kidshealth.org
A number of resources are available from the National Association of School Psychologists:
- Children and Responding to National Disaster: Information for Teachers
- Helping Children Cope with Loss, Death and Grief: Response to a National Tragedy
- Coping with Terrorism--Helping Children with Special Needs: Tips for School Personnel and Parents
- Children and Fear of War and Terrorism: Tips for Parents and Teachers
- A National Tragedy - Promoting Tolerance and Peace in Children: Tips for Parents and Schools
- Memorials/Activities/Rituals Following Traumatic Events: Suggestions for Schools
- A National Tragedy - Helping Children Manage Strong Emotional Reactions: Tips for Parents and Teachers
- A National Tragedy - Save a Friend: Tips for Teens to Prevent Suicide
- A National Tragedy: Preventing Suicide in Troubled Children and Youth
- Identifying Seriously Traumatized Children: Tips for Parents and Educators
- Trauma and Children: A Parent Handout for Helping Children Heal
- A National Tragedy - Helping Children Cope: Tips for Parents and Teachers
A series of articles for adults as we work through our own emotions by Sam Quick, University of Kentucky Extension:
- The Attack on America: Understanding the Grieving Process
- A Nation Mourns: Suggestions for Grieving and Healing
- In the Aftermath of Tragedy We Need to be Good Listeners
- Anti-Islamic Prejudice Is Itself an Act of Terrorism
- Responding to Terrorism By Being a Peacemaker
- A Mature Response to Terrorism: The Way of Wisdom Circles
- Tragedy Brings Out Best in America and Her People
"101 Questions and Answers about Arab Americans: A Journalist's Guide" Detroit Free Press - everything you ever wanted to know about Arab Americans
Journaling Prompts Vicki Morgan, Creative Memories - these questions and prompts can help you create a written record of your thoughts, feelings and memories of the events of the last several weeks.
How to Help After the Terrorist Attacks, KidsHealth for Parents
Coping with the Tragedy: Resources to Use if You're Looking for a Way to Help University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension - 4H - includes lots of ways kids can get involved in helping
National PTA - many resources available for parents
More resources from the National Parent Information Network
Red Cross Disaster Counseling Materials - information about children and adults in many languages
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee - website includes many educational resources for children and adults to learn more about Arab culture.
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - more in-depth information about stress reactions to the terrorist attacks
The ChildTrauma Academy - more indepth information about understanding and helping children who have experienced a traumatic event personally.