The Four Pillars of
Security
There’s nothing more fundamental than the need to feel secure. Children
depend on four pillars of security to help them face life’s struggles:
people, places, routines, and rituals.
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Understanding the Children We
Support
Children’s responses to catastrophe are influenced by their development
readiness and life experiences. Build your capacity to support children by
strengthening your understanding of social-emotional development, types of stress
and trauma, risk and protective factors, and resilience.
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Answering Children's Questions
About Death
When children ask why people (or pets) die, the answer is a developmentally
appropriate version of “Everything that is alive dies sometime. Death is a
part of life.” You can create a climate of security with thoughtful responses
— and the way you react matters, too.
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Answering Children's
Questions About Natural Disasters
Children may have questions about hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and more.
After surviving a natural disaster, children may ask about returning home or
worry that it will happen again.
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Answering Children’s
Questions About Poverty, Homelessness, and Immigration
Children may wonder about poverty that they see in their communities or hear about
on the news. They may ask questions such as “Why don’t some people have
homes?” or “Why do people want to come to our country?”
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Answering Children’s
Questions About Violence, War, Terrorism, and Hate
Crimes
Children’s awareness of these topics will vary widely, but their questions
often come down to the same essential point: “How could such a thing
happen?” While there are no easy answers, you can tailor your response to
address children’s underlying concerns and help them feel supported.
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Answering Children’s
Questions About Race and Prejudice
For many adults, talking to children about race, identity, and prejudice may
feel particularly sensitive. Use clear, straightforward language to talk about
differences with young children and to clarify terms and definitions for older
children.
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Answering Children's Questions
About Public Health Emergencies
In a pandemic or other public health crisis, just knowing that adults will keep them
informed may help reduce children’s anxiety. Try to balance honest answers
with being as calm and positive as you can.
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Support for
Adults
In a pandemic or other public health crisis, just knowing that adults will keep them
informed may help reduce children’s anxiety. Try to balance honest answers
with being as calm and positive as you can.
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Preparing Children to Live in the
World
What can do before a catastrophe occurs to help children be, or at least feel, more
prepared? There are practical ways you can increase emergency preparedness, but also
many more proactive strategies to help children grow into good people and good
citizens.
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Resources
Explore the topics introduced in this resource more in depth through websites and
children’s books.
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