Dear Princes ELC Families,
In the last few months our world has faced many events that have challenged our young children’s ideas about the world that they live in - floods, bushfires, unrest and, most recently, the earthquake in Japan and resulting tsunami. It can be difficult to answer children’s questions about these types of events. The best advice is to answer their questions simply and truthfully. Give them reassurance that you have considered what you might do in such an emergency and that you have a plan, that their safety is paramount in those plans.
Following is an excerpt from a newspaper article that quotes child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Joshua Sparrow:
‘One of the United States’ best known child and adolescent psychiatrists, Boston-based Dr Joshua Sparrow, said yesterday that parents should not try to conceal the truth from even the youngest children. “After the Manhattan terror attacks, very young children watched parents closely. Parents cannot hide what’s happening because the children can see it on their faces,” he said. “Kids aged between two and five first want to know if they’re going to be alright.” For children aged between six and eleven, Dr Sparrow said they were interested in how things worked – tsunamis, earthquakes – and how things went wrong, such as when a nuclear power plant explodes, or when a government shoots their own citizens.
Dr Sparrow said parents should point to something positive amid the chaos, talk in short concise paragraphs and watch kids reactions.’ – Paul Toohey, New York
On a more cheery note we have finally had news of the Tabuse family (ex Mead room 2010) who live north of Tokyo. Following is an excerpt from Akiko’s e-mail:
…We are still having little shake sometimes, also now biggest problem is the atomic pile! We cannot feel safe yet…Last Friday afternoon Ryuta was during Pre-school graduation ceremony and just about his turn, suddenly started to shaking ,the stage lights are moving and moving wider and people are started panic!! It was so so long! I felted like a sea sick! I did not know that am I shaking myself or still moving???I never had such a experience before!! (Ryuta’s) teacher told me… the stage light was falling off so he shouted "Get out of here!" they took kids to out of building from escape door! …Many people could not go home and stay at hall. Taka came back middle of the night because he walked back home about 2 hour! (Some people are more!) One of my friend worked to the house about 4 hour! … The north is still terrible and tsunami was so big!! (7meter) we did not believe it!
Take care and thank you again
Akiko, Taka and Ryuta
We wish Ryuta and his family all the best for the difficult times ahead. If like us, you are moved by the Tabuse’s plight please contact the Red Cross to make a donation to the Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal 2011 by phoning 1800 811 700. You can also donate over the counter at any Commonwealth or Westpac Bank.
ELC Staff
Princes Early Learning Centre
