When a disaster strikes, like the recent tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, children often become worried and scared for their safety and the wellbeing of loved ones. During these times, it’s more important than ever for parents to talk to their children about their feelings and concerns.

“Tragic events, whether natural or man-made, can have long-term, emotional effects on children, especially when adults close to them are having difficulty understanding and coping,” says Dr. Diane Treadwell-Deering, clinic chief for Texas Children's Psychiatry and Psychology Service and assistant professor in the departments of psychiatry and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. “Children may be scared by what they see and hear in the media and what those around them are discussing.”

The less directly affected the child and the younger he or she is, the more appropriate it is to return to everyday life, says Treadwell-Deering. Most youngsters will follow the lead of the important adults around them.

But with Hurricane Katrina affecting a large area of the Gulf Coast and many of the evacuees relocating to Texas and other states, many children have already met people – or even have family members – affected by the disaster.

Elementary school-aged children probably will have heard details about the event from talking with parents, classmates and teachers, watching TV and seeing newspapers. It is important for parents to know what their children have heard and how they understand it in order to explain the facts in a simple, straightforward way.

Older children may be more likely to think about implications of a disaster. Teenagers may be concerned about why bad things happen to innocent people and how they can assist.

So how can parents help their children cope during such difficult circumstances?

Treadwell-Deering offers these tips:

• Talk with your children reassuringly and honestly. Don’t leave it to someone else to provide assurance and information. Take some time and determine what you wish to say. Be brief and honest. To calm their fears, you may need to tell your children “You are safe; we’re all going to be OK.”
• Validate your child’s feelings. Avoid telling your child “don’t worry” or “don’t be sad.” Instead, you might say, “I understand you are worried, and that’s OK. Adults, including me, are working to keep you safe.” Encouraging children to express their feelings helps them work through anxiety.
• Use nonverbal reassurance. Whether or not children express their concerns verbally, parents can look to sleeping, eating and play patterns for insight into how kids are feeling. If your child becomes clingy or seems worried, it’s important to respond with cuddles, hugs and kisses.
• Stick to your family’s normal routine. Though you shouldn’t be inflexible, try to stick to your family’s schedule as much as possible. Children, especially younger ones, find security in the familiarity of their daily routine.
• Limit children’s television viewing of events. Repetitive images of a certain event increase a child's stress and may even confuse him or her into thinking that a single disaster happened over and over again.
• Use the event as a teaching opportunity. Parents can teach their children about empathy and kindness by donating money, clothing and toys to those affected by disasters. If the event is a man-made tragedy, such as a riot or school shooting, talk to your children about how they can resolve their feelings of anger by talking.

“Ultimately, it is important to be truthful, but reassuring,” says Treadwell-Deering. “Remember, it is fine to say you don't know the answer to a particular question your child raises. The fact that you’re there and you are working through this with your child is reassuring in itself.”

If you notice continued behavioral changes, such as not talking, clinginess, behavior regression, aggression or nightmares, you should discuss these issues with your child’s doctor.