How to Talk to Your Kids During a Natural Emergency: Age-Appropriate Tips
Natural disasters like the fires currently ravaging Los Angeles can be frightening and overwhelming for families. Children, in particular, may struggle to process what’s happening and rely on the adults in their lives to guide them through such challenging times. As parents, your words and actions can provide a sense of security and calm amidst uncertainty.
Here’s how to navigate conversations with your children during a natural emergency, with age-appropriate tips and helpful resources to support your family.
1. Keep Calm and Stay Honest
Children of all ages look to you for cues on how to react. Staying calm can help reassure them, even if you’re feeling anxious inside. Be honest about the situation, but filter your words based on your child’s age and emotional maturity.
2. Tips by Age Group
Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2–5)
What They Need: At this age, children don’t understand the complexity of disasters but can pick up on emotions. Keep your explanations simple and focus on safety.
What to Say:
“There’s a big fire outside, so we’re staying safe inside right now.”
“The firefighters are working hard to stop the fire.”
What to Do: Offer lots of physical comfort—hugs, snuggles, and reassuring tones. Use stories, games, or favorite toys to distract them. Encourage ways to think about others, for example, making cookies with a child this age to share, with reasons your family is grateful, with a first responder.
Elementary School Children (Ages 6–12)
What They Need: Children in this age group are more aware of their surroundings and might have questions or fears. Provide clear, factual information without overwhelming them.
What to Say:
“The fire is far from our house right now, but we’re ready to leave if we need to.”
“Our family has a safety plan, and we’ll stick together no matter what.”
What to Do: Let them express their feelings. Answer their questions honestly but keep details age-appropriate. Avoid graphic descriptions or exposing them to alarming media coverage. Practice self care, as much as possible. Remember, children will pick up on your non-verbal queues as well. The more you can self regulate, especially during stressful times, the better leader you can be.
Teenagers (Ages 13–18)
What They Need: Teens often seek detailed explanations and want to feel involved in solutions. They may also struggle with fear or guilt for feeling powerless.
What to Say:
“Here’s what we know about the fire. Let’s talk about our safety plan and what we can do to stay prepared.”
“How are you feeling about all this? It’s okay to be scared or unsure.”
What to Do: Empower them with responsibilities, like packing a go-bag or helping younger siblings. Encourage open discussions about their emotions without judgment. Encourage teens to share the media they are consuming with you to foster discussion.
3. Acknowledge Their Feelings
No matter their age, children need validation for their emotions. Statements like, “It’s okay to feel scared or upset,” or “I understand this is hard,” can go a long way in building emotional resilience.
4. Focus on Safety and Action
Help your children feel secure by showing them you have a plan. Practice fire drills, discuss evacuation routes, and pack an emergency kit together. Turn preparation into a family activity that emphasizes teamwork and safety.
5. Be Mindful of Media Exposure
Continuous news coverage can be overwhelming for both kids and adults. Limit your child’s exposure to disturbing images or language. Instead, share updates with them in an age-appropriate manner.
6. Use Resources to Support Conversations
Here are some resources to help guide your family through this crisis:
Books for Kids:
“A Terrible Thing Happened” by Margaret M. Holmes (ages 4–8)
“What to Do When the World Feels Scary” by Jacqueline B. Toner (ages 6–12)
Emergency Preparedness Websites:
Focus Family First is here to help. Contact us today.
