Here For Each Other
You can use children’s questions as a springboard for conversation and comfort.
Watch these videos together. Let your child know it’s good to ask you questions about what they see in the videos, and about everything that’s happening around them. Here are common questions after a disaster and possible ways to respond:
What Happened?
There was an emergency—something we didn’t expect would happen. I know it was scary, but I’m here to take care of you and keep you safe.
Will We Be Okay?
Yes, we will be okay. I’m doing things to make sure we are safe and make things better for our family. Look around: there are many helpers working hard to make sure we will be okay.
Why Did This Happen? Did We Do Something Bad?
We didn’t do anything bad to make this happen. Sometimes things happen and there is no reason and it’s no one’s fault. The good thing is that these things don’t happen often and we are safe now.
Who Will Take Care of Me?
I will take care of you. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you have what you need. There are also other people who can help like…
When Can We Go Home?
I don’t know when we can go home. I wish we could go home, too. But what I do know is that we are still a family and that home is wherever we are together.
There are questions you may not have an answer to. It’s okay to be honest and say, “I don’t know.” You can follow up by saying, “But what I do know is that I love you and I’m going to keep you safe.”
Looking for Special
A storybook featuring Lily about the importance of confidence as a key skill in building resilience.
The Monster Dash
A storybook about practicing flexibility and maintaining a positive outlook as skills to build resilience.
Bounce Back: Storybook
A storybook featuring Alex about persistence and resilience in the face of new challenges.
Smiles and Frowns
Focusing on the positive helps make negative moments seem more manageable.
Resolving Hurt Feelings with Rosita and Friends
Misunderstandings and hurt feelings can be opportunities to build friendships and develop important social skills.
Building and Rebuilding Language Skills—and Community!
An article about building children’s language skills by enriching your interactions.
Roads to Resilience
A course highlighting some of the best assets from topics across SesameWorkshop.org with customized approaches, and tips and tricks on using these resources in your work with caregivers and their children.
