Remembering 9/11 - Making the Most of It

When the U.S. marks the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, will you benefit from the ceremonies and media attention certain to come? Or, is hearing as little as possible your preference?

Each of us will experience the anniversary of 9/11 differently. For those personally affected by 9/11, the decision to watch film clips, ceremonies, and special media programs can be a difficult one.

Think carefully about what helps you with grief or loss. Do you benefit from learning as much as possible about what happened? Are you helped by deeply moving and symbolic tributes?

All of us deal with grief and loss differently. Knowing what works for you and respecting differences in others will help heal the nation.

Here are some ideas for you and your family in preparation for remembering that tragic day in September, 2001:

Source: EAP Perspectives | Solutions EAP

September 11th: What Our Children Need to Know

September 11th was one of the defining events of our age, of our nation's history and of these children's lives. Educators have an obligation in any such circumstance to provide the information, the analysis, the conclusions and the lessons that they believe their pupils need. What happened? Why did it happen? How should we think about it? What are we doing about it? What should we do about it? How can we keep it from happening again? What are the major lessons of September 11th that teachers should introduce to their young charges?

In a report by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, with the help of 23 various authors, answers are provided to those questions and to suggest what U.S. schools and educators should teach their students so that they will better understand 9/11, its precursors and its aftermath.

By exploring questions and answers, it is hoped that our nation's schoolchildren will be better able to function as young citizens of a nation that has endured a wicked attack and is now engaged in a serious and protracted war.

For more information, visit http://www.edexcellence.net/

Source: PEN Newsblast

Helping Kids Cope With Crises

Children need to know that they are secure within their families. Individuals and families must adjust to the threats that exist during this time of war. To assist children in coping with severe stress associated with the September 11th incident, one national child development expert, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, recommends the following:

1. Listen to your child and discuss his or her fears. Help children believe that they are safe and so are those who take care of them.

2. Tell children a bit of the truth in simple terms, depending on the child's I, age. Don't share more than asked for. Some facts reduce fear by preventing a child's worst fears from filling in the gaps.

3. Maintain a normal routine as much as possible. Routines are important. They reassure your child that things are under control.

4. Set limits on exposure to TV images that can be traumatizing.

5. Resist stereotyping or labeling other cultures, peoples, and religions. Help children understand that not all people in a given culture act in evil ways.

6. Children watch and listen for adults' reactions to the traumatic events. How you respond and handle your anger and fears in front of your child will impact their mental well-being. Be cautious about exposing children to strongly worded adult conversations.

7. Take care of yourself. Attempt to live a normal life.

Source: PR Newswire

Other Resources

Here are some other resources you can use to help you and your kids during this time:

[ Top ]