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Health & Fitness

Helping your Child Cope with Hurricane Sandy

Ivy Hill Preschool in Rumson, NJ serves up tips to help children cope with aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Kelly D'Anna, Neighbor
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Superstorm Sandy recently slammed the East Coast, devastating our beloved shores.  While many of us are still picking up the pieces of damaged homes and missed work, we must all be thankful that our families are happy, healthy and safe. While the worst is behind us, the emotional effects of this storm still hold strong. As adults we can grasp the concept of what happened to our home ground; however our little ones are without a doubt left with questions and confusion. A difficult subject such as Hurricane Sandy can be challenging to explain to your preschooler, but here are some tips to help your children deal with fears and anxieties about this natural disaster.

  • Create a safe place for your child

  • Try to get back into your everyday routines as quickly as possible

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  • Have an open, honest dialogue with your child about what happened, using kid-friendly language

  • Provide comfort and support

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  • Remember that every child, just like adults, handlea and copes with situations differently, and some take more time than others

  • Don’t be afraid to admit that you can’t answer all of their questions

  • Encourage your children to be open about their feelings

  • Use this opportunity to establish a family emergency plan to provide security

  • Limit exposure to media

  • Help children identify the positives; assistance from others around the country, volunteer work, grateful families, etc.

    • Superstorm Sandy shook up adults and children alike. Be prepared to discuss what happened and be honest about your feelings with your children.  Everyone at Ivy Hill is glad to get back into our routine, and we have an exciting time of learning ahead of us! We are so happy to see our students’ bright and happy faces, and most of all we are glad that you all are safe.

     

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