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    Fredrgers

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    Fredrgers

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    bear claw
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    pbs nyc

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    fredrgers

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    pbs nyc

    Copyright:

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    15 views5 pages

    Fredrgers

    Uploaded by

    bear claw
    pbs nyc

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    of 5

    Special thanks to Family Communications, the producers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood for permission to reprint this material from

    The Mister Rogers Parenting Book. For more information on Family Communications and Mister Rogers Neighborhood, visit their website at www.fci.org. This booklet was a collaborative effort between Family Communications and the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. The state would also like to extend its gratitude to UNC-TV, North Carolinas public television network, and public television station WTVI Charlotte, for their assistance in distributing this booklet to parents, caregivers, and teachers all across North Carolina. Please visit their websites for more information on their Outreach and Kids Clubs.

    Photo: Walt Seng

    UNC-TV: www.unctv.org (919) 549-7000

    WTVI Charlotte: www.wtvi.org (704) 371-8840

    This booklet is also available in Spanish. To view or print this version, or to find other consumer materials provided by The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, visit our website at http:www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/index.html and click on Handling Disasters. Text copyright 2004 Family Communications, Inc.

    Helping Children Deal with Tragic Events in the News


    Timeless wisdom from Fred Rogers for parents, caregivers and teachers

    North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services 3022 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-3022 Telephone 919-733-7011 Fax 919-733-9455 State of North Carolina, Michael F. Easley, Governor Department of Health and Human Services, Carmen Hooker Odom, Secretary Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse, Richard J. Visingardi, PhD., Director 2,300 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $6,000 or x per copy. 2/04

    Photo: Jim Judkis

    This material is excerpted with the permission of Family Communications, Inc., from The Mister Rogers Parenting Book. Family communications is the nonprofit company founded by Fred Rogers to produce Mister Rogers Neighborhood and a wide variety of material for and about children. The company continues to support Mister Rogers Neighborhood in its national broadcast on PBS and to expand Fred Rogers legacy in new directions. For more information on Family Communications and Mister Rogers Neighborhood, visit their website at www.fci.org. Text copyright 2004 Family Communications, Inc.

    During his lifetime, Fred Rogers became known for his reassuring way of helping families of young children deal with difficult times, beginning with his response to Robert Kennedys assassination. Over the years since then, there have, unfortunately, been other tragic events during which parents and educators turned to him for his calming and thoughtful insight. Fred Rogers wisdom is timeless, and his messages continue to be valuable for children and the people who care for them, as we deal with the events of todays world.

    In times of community or world-wide crisis, its easy to assume that young children dont know whats going on. But one things for sure, children are very sensitive to how their parents feel. Theyre keenly aware of the expressions on their parents faces and the tone of their voices. Children sense when their parents are really worried, whether theyre watching the news or talking about it with others. No matter what children know about a crisis, its especially scary for them to realize that their parents are scared.

    When children are scared and anxious, they might become more dependent, clingy, and afraid to go to bed at night. Whining, aggressive behavior, or toilet accidents may be their way of asking for more comfort from the important adults in their lives. Little by little, as we adults around them become more confident, hopeful and secure, our children probably will, too.

    Scary, confusing images Who will take care of me?


    In times of crisis, children want to know, Who will take care of me? Theyre dependent on adults for their survival and security. Theyre naturally self-centered. They need to hear very clearly that their parents are doing all they can to take care of them and to keep them safe. They also need to know that people in the government, in their community and in the world, and other people they dont even know, are working hard to keep them safe, too. The way that news is presented on television can be quite confusing for a young child. The same video segment may be shown over and over again through the day, as if each showing was a different event. Someone who has died turns up alive and then dies again and again. Children often become very anxious since they dont understand much about videotaped replays, close-ups, and camera angles. Any televised danger seems close to home to them because the tragic scenes are taking place on the television set right in their own living room. Children cant tell the difference between whats close and whats far away... whats real and whats pretend... or whats new and whats re-run. The younger the children are, the more likely they are to be interested in the typical news scenes of close-up faces, particularly if the people are expressing strong feelings. When theres tragic news, the images on TV are most often much too graphic and too disturbing for young children.

    Helping children feel more secure


    Play is one of the important ways young children have of dealing with their concerns. But, even playing about the news can be scary and sometimes unsafe. So adults need to be nearby to redirect that kind of play into nurturing themes, such as a hospital for the wounded or a pretend meal for emergency workers. 2

    Turn off the TV


    When theres something tragic in the news, many parents get concerned about what and how to tell their children. Its even harder than usual if were struggling with our own powerful feelings about what has happened. Adults may be somewhat surprised that their own reactions to a televised crisis are so strong, but great loss and devastation in the news often reawaken our own earlier losses and fears... even some we thought we have forgotten. Its easy to allow ourselves to get drawn into watching televised news of a crisis for hours and hours; however, exposing ourselves to so many tragedies can make us feel hopeless, insecure, and even depressed. We help our childrenand ourselvesif were able to limit our own television viewing. Our children need us to spend time with themaway from the frightening images on the screen.

    Talking and listening


    Even if we wanted to, it would be impossible to give our children all the reasons for such things as war, terrorists, abuse, murders, fires, hurricanes, and earthquakes. If they ask questions, our best answer may be to ask them,What do you think happened? If the answer is, I dont know, then the simplest reply might be something like,Im sad about the news, and Im worried. But I love you, and Im here to care for you. If we dont let children know its okay to feel sad and scared, they may try to hide those feelings or think something is wrong with them whenever they do feel that way. They certainly dont need details of whats making us sad or scared, but if we can help them accept their own feelings as natural and normal, their feelings will be much more manageable for them. Angry feelings are also part of being human, especially when we feel powerless. One of the most important messages we can give our children is,Its okay to be angry, but its not okay to hurt ourselves or others. Besides giving children the right to their anger, we can encourage them to find constructive things to do with their feelings. This way, well be giving them useful tools that will serve them all their life and help them to become the worlds future peacemakers... ...the worlds future helpers.

    Timeless wisdom from Fred Rogers for parents, caregivers and teachers
    4 5

    Fred Rogers often told this story about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: My mother would say to me,Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mothers words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpersso many caring people in this world.

    Try to keep regular routines as normal as possible. Children and adults count on familiar patterns of everyday life. Plan something that you and your child can enjoy together, like taking a walk or going on a picnic, having some quiet time together or doing something silly. It can help to know there are simple things in life that can help us feel better, both in good times and in bad. Even if children dont mention what theyve seen or heard in the news, it can help to ask what they think has happened. If parents dont bring up the subject, children can be left with their misinterpretations. You may be surprised at how much your child has heard from others. Focus attention on the helpers, like the police, firemen, doctors, nurses, paramedics and volunteers. Its reassuring to know there are many caring people who are doing all they can to help in this world. Let your child know if youre making a donation or going to a meeting, writing a letter or e-mail of support, or taking some other action. It can help children know that adults take many different active roles...and that we dont give in to helplessness in time of crisis.

    Helpful hints
    Do your best to keep the television off, or at least limit how much your child sees of any news event. Try to keep yourself calm. Your presence can help your child feel more secure. Give your child extra comfort and physical affection, like hugs or snuggling up together with a favorite book. Physical comfort goes a long way towards providing security. That closeness can nourish you, too.

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