IT’S OK TO NOT FEEL OK. ESTÁ BIEN NO ESTAR BIEN

  • The heartbreaking and shocking news like the school shootings, disasters and tragedies are difficult to hear. While we are processing it as adults, we often wonder what to do to support our children.  Here are some tools and links to help you with this information and to address your child if you are asked questions.

    Please be sure to use the links and contact your school or mental health professional if you need more help. Counseling / Emergency Counseling Referrals & Resources (washoeschools.net)

    While we can’t control or predict all violence, we can be sure to stabilize our families, stay connected and to report anything we see or hear.

    All WCSD schools have access to safevoice to report safety concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. .

    http://safevoicenv.org/

    SafeVoice Reporting System

    Safe Voice is an anonymous reporting system to encourage students to report school and student safety concerns. By launching SafeVoice Nevada, the state has created a resource available through a hotline number (833-216-7233), a website (www.safevoicenv.org), and a mobile app. This platform is a quick, safe, and responsible way to let a team of professionals know about concerns or threats to student safety. All tips go first to the Department of Public Safety DPS.  Reports can be made any time of day and any day of the week. By utilizing this reporting system, WCSD is working to protect student wellness, prevent violence, and save lives.

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    Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears. 

    Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children 

    https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/kids-war

    Helping Your Students Cope With a Violent World

    https://www.edutopia.org/blog/helping-students-cope-violent-world-richard-curwin

    How to talk to your children about conflict and war

    https://www.unicef.org/parenting/how-talk-your-children-about-conflict-and-war

     

    National Association of School Psychologists Guide: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers 

     

    Guía de la Asociación Nacional de Psicólogos Escolares: Conversando con sus niños sobre la violencia: sugerencias para padres y maestros.

     

    1. Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.

     Reasegurarles que están a salvo. Enfaticé que las escuelas son lugares seguros. Dar validez a los sentimientos de ellos. Hay que explicar que toda clase de sentimiento es aceptable cuando ocurre una tragedia. Dejar a los niños que hablen sobre sus sentimientos, ayudarles poner esos sentimientos en perspectiva, ayudarles a expresar apropiadamente estos sentimientos  

    Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Educators

     2. Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings. 

    Acomodar y dar tiempo para hablar. Dejé que las preguntas del niño le guie en cuanto a que tanta información proporciona. Sea paciente. Los niños no siempre quieren hablar de sus sentimientos libremente. Mantenga la vigilancia para que note los indicios de que quieran hablar, tales como el rondarle cuando lava los platos o hace los quehaceres del jardín. Algunos niños prefieren expresarse por escrito, tocar música, o completar un proyecto de arte. Pueden necesitar los niños mas pequeños actividades concretas para ayudarles a identificar 

    3. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate. Ask them to communicate any personal safety concerns they ever have to school administrators, and school staff - Use counselors and social workers to access support for emotional needs. 

     Mantenga las explicaciones apropiadas para el nivel de desarrollo.  Pidales que comuniquen cualquier preocupación sobre su seguridad con los administradores escolares, y personal escolar.  Use los consejeros y trabajadores sociales para recibir apoyo para sus necesidades emocionales. 

    4. Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk. 

     Revisar los procedimientos de seguridad. Se deben incluir reglamentos y protecciones en la escuela y los hogares. Ayude a los niños a identificar al menos un adulto en la escuela y en la comunidad a quien podría recurrir en el caso de que sienten amenazados o en peligro. 

    5. Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.

    Observar el estado emocional de los niños. Algunos niños no expresarán sus inquietudes verbalmente. Pueden ser indicios del nivel de ansiedad o preocupación de los niños los cambios en el comportamiento, apetito, y hábitos de dormir. En la mayoría de niños, disminuirán estos síntomas al darles seguridad y con el paso de tiempo. No obstante, pueden correr el riesgo de intensas reacciones en algunos niños. Pueden corren mayor riesgo de reacciones severas los niños quienes han experimentado previas experiencias traumáticas o perdidas personales, los que sufren de depresión u otras enfermedades mentales, o los que tienen necesidades especiales. Si tiene cualquier inquietud se debe buscar la ayuda de un profesional de salud mental.

     6. Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television and other media viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.

    Limitar la observación de estos eventos en la televisión o medios sociales. Limite lo que ven en la televisión o medios sociales y sea consciente de la televisión prendida en algunos lugares comunales. Puede causar ansiedad y confusión la información que es inapropiada por el nivel de desarrollo del niño, especialmente para los niños pequeños. Los adultos también necesitan estar conscientes del contenido de las conversaciones que conducen con niños presentes, aun en frente de adolescentes, y limitar que escuchen los comentarios vengativos, odiosos y enfadados porque los pueden malentender.  

    7. Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.

    Mantener una rutina normal. Puede asegúrales y promover la salud física el mantener una rutina normal. Asegure que los niños duerman lo suficiente, que coman con regularidad, y hagan ejercicio. Aliénteles a mantenerse al tanto de las tareas y las actividades extra circulares, pero no a la fuerza, por que se sentirán agobiados. 

     

Helping Youth and Students Cope with Scary News and Tragedy