Children, Stress, and Natural Disasters
A Guide for Teachers
Implications for Teachers
The disruptions that children experience, and their possible reactions mean that:
- Some children may not be ready to learn -- emotional distress may get in the way of academic progress.
- Certain symptoms or learning difficulties may persist for a long time, especially if children are reacting to long-term family disruptions or strains
- Some of the effects of long-term disruptions may not surface immediately; problems may not surface until weeks, months, or even a year following the disaster
- Classroom management may be more difficult; teachers may have to deal with regressive, withdrawn, or disruptive behavior
- Teachers may experience more than the usual stresses and strains in dealing with distressed children
Teachers may face even greater strains if they are having disaster-related difficulties of their own
