
Understanding the Impact of Wildfires on Families
The wildfires in Southern California have left a significant mark on the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and its community. Students, educators, and staff are facing tremendous challenges during these difficult times. Recognizing this, the LAUSD established an Emergency Relief Fund aimed at providing immediate assistance to the affected families and employees, ensuring the restoration of schools so that learning can continue uninterrupted.
Simple Steps to Aid Children During Crisis
Helping children cope with traumatic events is crucial. Experts recommend sharing information honestly and calmly. Encourage children to ask questions and ensure they know it's okay to say, "I don't know." Different children express emotions like anger or sadness in various ways, so fostering an open environment for them is important.
Breathing exercises are another effective method. Deep belly breathing can alleviate anxiety. A simple exercise involves asking children to blow on a feather or wad of cotton, promoting slow exhalation. Alternatively, placing a stuffed animal on the stomach and watching its rise and fall can be a soothing practice.
Long-term Support for Traumatized Children
Even after the immediate disaster has passed, children may continue to process trauma. Parents should remain open to ongoing discussions, as questions might arise unexpectedly. It's important to keep an eye out for signs of trauma, including changes in behavior like clinginess or irritability. Caring for oneself is equally critical in this process, as children benefit from the calm and support of adults around them.
Thank you for extending your care and generosity towards the LAUSD community in their time of need. Together, we can help them rebuild and recover from this adversity.
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