Children, Stress, and Natural Disasters:
A Guide for Teachers
The purpose of this guide is to inform teachers of how natural disasters can affect children's behavior and performance in the classroom, and what teachers can do to help children cope. By reading this guide, teachers will:
- Have a better understanding of what children may have experienced as a result of a disaster, and what the short- and long-term consequences of these experiences might be
- Be able to identify how children commonly respond to disasters and other stressful situations, and how these responses may influence children's classroom behavior and academic performance
- Have a better understanding of how they might be able to help children cope with the aftermath of a natural disaster
A companion guide entitled School Activities for Children provides more detailed information on what teachers can do in their classrooms to help children cope with life after a disaster.
What Children May Be Experiencing
- Trauma of the Event
- Disruptions to Daily Living
- Pile-up of Stressors and Long-term Strains
Children's Responses to Disasters
- Signs of Distress
- Who is at Risk?
- Identifying Children Who May Need More Help
- Providing Safety, Security, and Support
- Providing Classroom Activities that Facilitate Coping
- Taking Care of Yourself
Part II: School Activities for Children
