Storms and other natural disaster can be especially scary for kids; news coverage can be especially scary as images of destruction appear without context or explanation. Even if you don’t live in an affected area, what your children see can still be frightening. PBS Parents offers age-appropriate insights into helping children deal with scary news, how to talk to them about their fears, and how to explain what’s happening in ways that kids can understand: http://www.pbs.org/parents/talkingwithkids/news/
On today’s episode of Sesame Street, the neighborhood is working together to clean up and in the aftermath of a hurricane. When Big Bird checks on his home, he is heartbroken to find that the storm has destroyed his nest. Big Bird’s friends and neighbors gather to show their support and let him know they can fix his home, but it will take time. While everyone on Sesame Street spends the next few days cleaning up and making repairs, Big Bird still has moments where he is sad, angry, and confused. You can see the full episode on WPT at 9am or view it online at www.sesamestreet.org/hurricane. The website has tips, activities, and videos that can help kids feel safe, cope with emotions, and understand that there is hope for the future.
If your children have grown out of watching Sesame Street, the CyberChase “Storm Dodger” game helps kids understand that storms follow paths and a storm’s speed and direction can be tracked to help people make plans. Check it out here: http://www.pbs.org/parents/cyberchase/activities/storm-dodger-game/