Talk about it, counselors advise

Students at Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts in Fort Myers, Florida, watch coverage of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks.

Overview: Following the terrorist attack against the U.S., many adults are having to help children deal with this traumatic event. But how should they respond? Use these questions and activity to help students understand how this disaster is affecting children, and what adults and kids can do to cope with this tragedy.

Curriculum Connections: Health, Psychology, Life Skills

After students read the CNNfyi.com story, "Talk about it, counselors advise", ask the following questions:

1. What type of caregivers usually arrive first on a disaster scene to help children? Who is Dr. Patty White? According to White, what measures should caregivers take to help children during and after a disaster? What are some of the differences between the ways that children and adults are affected by trauma? Why is it important that children be able to talk about a disastrous event? How should counselors, teachers, and other adults respond to the tough questions that kids raise regarding disasters? Give an example.

2. What happened to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon? Where were you when these attacks occurred? How did you feel when you first heard the news? How did you react? How has this tragedy impacted you, your family, your friends, and your community? Have your thoughts and feelings about the tragedy changed since you first heard the news? If so, how?

3. Inform students that many teenagers and young children have been emotionally affected by the events of September 11, 2001. Ask students: Have your peers made statements or exhibited behavior in response to these attacks that concern you? Discuss. The following activity is intended to help students better understand how this disaster is affecting them, and what kids and parents can do to help. Divide your class into five groups. Refer each group to the links below, and other resources, to gather information about one of the following topics:
1. The impact of trauma on kids of different ages
2. How kids should deal with their feelings (such as talking and using creative arts) about this tragedy
3.Things that parents can do to help their children in the wake of a crisis
4.Behaviors that adults and kids should avoid (such as displacing anger; targeting individuals or groups of people)
5.Community resources.
After each group presents its findings, help students compile their information to create a community resource, such as a Web page or pamphlet, to help kids and parents deal with this recent tragedy.

For additional information, visit the following Web site to read CNN correspondent Mary Slobogin's interview with a trauma expert. .