skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina s congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Myorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

OH Expert Offers Tips for Talking to Kids about Haiti Disaster

play audio
Play

Thursday, January 21, 2010   

CINCINNATI - With the Haitian earthquake continuing to top the news, it's almost unavoidable that children in Ohio and elsewhere will be exposed to the stories of tragedy. Disasters often can leave children feeling confused, scared or insecure, says Dr. David Schonfeld, director of the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. When that happens, he says it's important that parents take time to speak to them about their feelings.

"If we don't talk about it, we communicate to children that it's something so horrible we can't even speak about it or that we don't think they can handle it. Both messages are not helpful for children adjusting to the situation."

A good way to get the conversation started is to ask a child what he or she has heard about the situation, to find out their level of understanding, Schonfeld says - no matter their age, most children likely will have heard something about the disaster.

"Younger children are more likely to have misconceptions and worries about things they don't need to worry about, whereas older children may feel more of a sense of empathy for the individuals who were impacted."

Schonfeld suggests limiting a child's media exposure to a disaster. And he advises to keep in mind that the event also could open the door to other concerns a child might have.

"Children who look at something that's distressing on the news actually may show distress or share distress about something completely unrelated that's bothering them, so this might be an opportunity to share feelings related to that topic and help them cope with it."

Schonfeld, who also directs the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, suggests that parents share their own feelings and some of their methods of coping, so the child can use the experience to learn effective ways to deal with life's stresses. One way to help children cope is to show them how they can help those affected by the disaster or others in their community, which will help them feel less powerless and vulnerable, Schonfeld adds.






get more stories like this via email

more stories
A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …


Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…


Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

Social Issues

play sound

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

More than six in 10 Americans favor keeping the abortion pill mifepristone available in the U.S. as a prescription drug, while over a third are opposed, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows more than six in 10 abortions in the U.S. last year were medically induced, and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - is …

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021