Hattiesburg Public School District offers tips of how to help children deal with tragedy | Families

The following is a message from The Hattiesburg Public School District:

Here are some tips for parents to help their children deal with the recent tragedy in Connecticut from the American Psychological Association:

1. Talk with your child -
If children ask questions, talking to them about their worries and concerns is the first step to help them feel safe and begin to cope with the events occurring around them. What you talk about and how you say it does depend on their age, but all children need to be able to know you are there and listening to them.

2. Keep home a safe place -
Children, regardless of age, often find home to be a safe haven when the world around them becomes overwhelming. During times of crisis, it is important to remember that your children may come home seeking the safe feeling they have being there.

3. Watch for signs of stress, fear or anxiety -
After a traumatic event, it is typical for children (and adults) to experience a wide range of emotions including fearfulness, shock, anger, grief and anxiety. Your children's behaviors may change because of their response to the event. They may experience trouble sleeping, difficulty with concentrating on schoolwork, or changes in appetite. This is normal for everyone and should begin to disappear in a few months.

4. Take “news breaks” -
Your children may want to keep informed by gathering information about the event from the Internet, television, or newspapers. It is important to limit the amount of time spent watching the news because constant exposure may actually heighten their anxiety and fears

We understand that helping children deal with a traumatic event like this, even from a distrance, can be a very difficult job for a parent. We are here to help in any way that we can. Please contact your child's teacher or principal or the central office and we will be glad to help you.