For your convenience, we have compiled a number of tips on how to help children during emergency situations: 

It is important to manage your own anxiety so that you can assist your children. Children learn to deal with stress and anxiety from their parents, so demonstrating calm behavior will instill calm and confidence in your children.

It’s ok to be anxious and afraid - crying is a natural response to stress, and it does not mean you are a bad parent. 

Food, drink, sleep, family - In order to deal with stress and anxiety, it is essential to provide for the physical needs of both the children and the parents. Remember to drink, eat, and get adequate sleep. Make sure to show love and affection: hug your children, talk to them about the situation, and play with them. Remember that being with family helps children to deal with their fears and anxieties.

Restricting News - Limit watching TV news broadcasts with your children. Pay attention to your reactions to the reports, and remember that your reactions impact your children. Comforting and reassuring explanations can prevent children from becoming overly anxious. Remind children that they have parents, teachers, counselors and even an army whose job it is to protect them.

Conversations - When talking to children about the situation, be sensitive to their level of understanding. Children may be ashamed of their fears and their difficulty in dealing with stressful situations. Allow them to express negative emotions, and make it clear that different children respond to stressful events in different ways. Remind children that you love them unconditionally.

Exercise - It can be helpful to release tension through exercise at home or outdoors, such as running, dancing, cycling, jumping in place, or any other activity that releases energy and provides pleasure. Activities such as painting, blowing bubbles, praying, playing imaginative games, or any other method of distraction, can help us to focus on our routine instead of the things that cause anxiety and stress. These activities can be a good opportunity to strengthen your bond with the children. 

Participating in social activities, contributing to the community, and volunteering can help increase a child’s sense of security and personal satisfaction. It is important to give each member of the family a role and responsibility, thus conveying a message that everyone is able to help, even in times of stress and anxiety. For example, a child may be responsible for caring for a pet or bringing a doll to the safe room. 

Humor is an effective way to reduce stress. However, it is important to make sure that you are using humor in a way that is helpful and does not negate the child’s feelings.

Routine is good - try to maintain normal routines and schedules, such as shared dinners, shower and bedtime routines, etc., as long as they meet Home Front Command guidelines.
 
Professional assistance - If you have additional questions or concerns, or if you feel that your child's reactions are abnormal and persistent over time, we recommend that you get professional assistance. You can contact the Home Front Command with any questions related to an emergency, at the Home Front Command's information center, on the website and on the Facebook page.

 

To see the Home Front Command's instruction manuals for children, click here