Coping in the Aftermath of an Emergency
More families than ever are experiencing extreme weather emergencies like wildfires. If you are coping with an emergency, you’re navigating changes large and small. But one thing that doesn’t change is the love you have for your family and community. It can be a source of strength that carries you through even overwhelming challenges.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or part of a child’s circle of care, these tips, activities, and videos can help you help children feel safe, cope with uncertainty, and know they’re not alone.
This family guide is here to support you in the event of a wildfire, whether you’re personally impacted, concerned about others, or worried about the future. Activities for little ones, tips for responding to their questions, coloring pages, and more can help you offer comfort and reassurance.
Together with your child, watch Big Bird, Elmo, and Rosita talking with their own loving adults about emergencies — it can be a great jumping-off point for your own caring conversations. These videos are also available in Spanish.
As Elmo’s daddy says, “Feeling scared or sad or confused can be hard.” You can watch this video with your child to help them express their emotions by following Elmo’s lead.
Don’t forget to care for yourself, too. This guide has tips for emotional and physical self-care and is available in Spanish. And if you or your little one needs some positive daily affirmation…Grover is here for you!
In all these resources, you’ll find information on how to help children build resilience, emotional regulation skills, and more, with tips for everything from mindfulness activities and breathing exercises to self-regulation strategies to the kind of compassionate self-talk and positive affirmations that can help kids cope and promote emotional health.
Remember you are not alone. You, your family, and your community can move through these painful and uncertain times—and together, find a new sense of hope for the future. Like so many other families, you will cope, thrive, and experience joy again.
