The unfolding tragedy in Israel is hard to comprehend. For many children, it can be frightening and upsetting, but every child deserves an age-appropriate and honest conversation. Each of these conversation starters — different for early childhood, elementary, middle and high school students — are built upon the same principles: a belief that every child deserves an explanation of the current moment that is, at once, age-appropriate and honest, and an acknowledgement that every child needs adult guidance about what information is appropriate and trustworthy.
Family & Children’s Services provides the following resources on how to approach this conversation with your child, based on their age and level of interest.
When a disaster or crisis strikes, Family & Children’s Service’s Psychological First Aid (PFA) Teams can help. PFA mobilizes to provide support and comfort, reduce the initial distress caused by traumatic events and foster short- and long-term adaptive functioning and coping. For more information, call Lorri Perez at 918.633.2407.
Are you in crisis and need immediate help?
Call COPES (Telephone & Mobile Psychiatric Crisis Services) 918.744.4800
We provide 24/7 rapid response, stabilization and intervention for all ages in Tulsa County for persons who feel out of control or have thoughts of suicide, harming themselves or hurting others.
Offering Comfort in Stressful Times
Originally published by Sesame Street Workshop.
