The earthquakes, which were more effective in Kahramanmaraş and 10 provinces on February 6-7, shook us all deeply. It is very important for us all to be together, to be in unity and solidarity in such difficult days. These days, we adults are also afraid and anxious. It is quite normal for our children to experience similar feelings.
In this period, the effects of which we will continue to see and hear through the media for a long time, our children may also be affected by what they see and hear, even if not directly. Children will try to make sense of their feelings and behaviors by listening to the speech of their parents and family elders and observing their behaviors. For this reason, it is very important that our speech and emotions are more controlled in environments where children are present.
It can be very useful solutions to explain to our children what natural disasters and earthquakes are with visuals suitable for their age, or to embody them with games to be played. Giving examples of what measures we can take to protect ourselves from an earthquake will reduce their anxious feelings and stress, improve their problem-solving skills, and allow them to feel more secure. For example, wearing thick coats and boots while going out on cold and snowy winter days can be a very functional example of how we can protect ourselves against a natural phenomenon such as snowfall. If there are questions they want to ask, we should listen to these questions and give short and clear answers without going into too much detail. If you are in a dilemma about how to explain, you can get support from an expert on how to explain the situation appropriate for your child’s age. Children, like adults, have difficulty in describing and describing their problems by talking, so games and artistic activities can be used to make therapy more suitable for the child to express and make sense of himself and his thoughts.
