From natural- to human-made disasters, the recent onslaught of traumatic events has prompted the Training and Technical Assistance Services (T/TAS) team at Western Kentucky University to share a few important resources, aimed at guiding adult conversations about tragedy and trauma with young children. Geared toward teachers, families, and other important adults in a young child's life, we hope you find this information useful: 

•  The Mayo Clinic Online, Helping Children Cope: Tips for Talking About Tragedy, addresses individualizing approaches depending upon a child's developmental level, from preschool to high school.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/helping-children-cope/art-20047029

• The Cleveland Clinic, How to Talk to Your Kids About Tragedy, gives practical advice for answering children’s questions.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-tragedy/

• The National Association of Elementary School Principals, Helping Children Cope with Tragedy, aimed at talking with elementary school children, but many of the basic concepts hold true for younger children--including limiting children's exposure to the media during and after a tragedy.

 http://www.naesp.org/sites/default/files/RtP_Tragedy_English.pdf

• The T/TAS at WKU Managing Mental Health in Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant & Seasonal, American Indian & Alaskan Native Programs training February 19-21, 2020 in Santa Fe, New Mexico will feature approaches to Trauma-Informed Care. (Workshop information available now, online registration open soon)  

https://orgs.wku.edu/ttas/calendar/index.php?view=event&eventid=70254

• The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Head Start Program, Emergency Preparedness resources.

 https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/safety-practices/article/emergency-preparedness

Here is a quick, helpful preschool tool developed by WholeHearted School Counseling to assist teachers in initiating and sustaining conversations and relationships with young children--whether they are experiencing trauma or not:

Rather than ask students about what they did over the summer, consider these questions instead:

1. What do you LOVE learning about?
2. What do you most LOOK FORWARD to this school year?
3. What are three AWESOME things about yourself?
4. What is one thing you'd like your teacher and classmates to KNOW ABOUT YOU?
5. What is SOMETHING NEW you'd like to make, create, try, build and/or learn about?

No doubt, in today's ever-changing world, little eyes are watching and tiny ears are listening. So please don't forget to take care of yourself too--exercise, eat right, sleep well, and laugh. After all, our emotional state is reflected in the emotional state of the little ones around us!  

(Article image used with permission/courtesy of @WholeHeartedSchoolCounseling1 https://www.facebook.com/WholeHeartedSchoolCounseling1/)  

_______________________________________________________________

Paula Mydlenski, MS, Health & Mental Health Specialist

Training & Technical Assistance Services (T/TAS)
Western Kentucky University

800.882.7482
www.ttas.org
ttas.info@wku.edu

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