Helping young children deal with bushfires

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Helping young children deal with bushfires

Although not widely known, bushfires can be a cause of major trauma to young children. Studies show that young children who have been directly affected by bushfires experience emotional distress for a long period of time.

The distress young children feel can be attributed to the fear of losing their homes, safety of their family, and the fear of the future as well as the actual experience of the fire. Young children do not always able to express complex emotions like adults do so it’s important to closely look after any changes in their behavior that might be related to distress.

Changes in young children’s behavior resulting from trauma of the bushfires may include:

  • Regressive behavior wherein they behave younger that they normally do.
  • Difficulty concentrating at school
  • Clinginess and fear of separation from parents
  • Fussy eating habits
  • Frequent tantrums
  • Anxiety about sleeping alone and having nightmares.
  • Loss of interest in their regular activities
  • Crying and giggling for no apparent reason.
  • Fear of darkness.
  • Being angry, aggressive, or irritable
  • Physical pains such as headaches or stomachaches.
  • Low self-esteem
  • Temper tantrums

Working with your children in overcoming such trauma may require help and can take some time and patience. But below are some of the things you can do to help:

  • Allow young children to have time to talk, ask questions, and share their fears and worries. Listen closely to their concerns and to what they are saying.
  • Talk to your children and find out what they know about the bushfire and correct any misconceptions they have and assure them of their safety and that they’re being look after.
  • Offer an encouraging environment where young children feel safe to express their feelings in whatever way they can. It is important that the child’s varied expressions, behavioral reactions, and feelings are accepted and understood and there’s steadiness and dependability in adult responses.
  • Keep young children affected by the bushfires away from seeing stories and media coverage of the incident since young children can get re-traumatized by watching images of the bushfire repeatedly.
  • Ensure that as parents of young children, you also have enough support and care you need to overcome this very traumatic experience. This way, you’ll be able to properly care and support your young children.

While most young children will likely to bounce back easily after a trauma, some may show prolonged distress and seeking the help of an expert will be very beneficial for them. Young children who have lost family members and friends or seriously injured are the ones that likely need professional assistance.

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