As Southcentral Alaska recovers from the earthquake on November 30, 2018, thread is working with the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office (CCPO) and the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) Child Care Licensing Office to support families, early childhood educators and programs, businesses,
and local communities.
- Financial Resources Page
- List of Disaster Recovery Centers (updated April
1, 2019)
Coping Resources After an Earthquake
Being in an earthquake is a frightening experience for both adults and children. Everyone copes differently and on their own timeline with traumatic events
like a natural disaster.
Children, including babies and toddlers, can be left feeling frightened and insecure. It’s important to recognize these reactions and help them to cope
with their feelings. Most children can thrive and recover with the right support.
It’s equally important for adults to manage their own self-care and feelings. This makes the earthquake less traumatic for the children around them.
Tips for Helping Children to Cope
Look for opportunities at home and in early care and learning settings for children to express their feelings in their own way.
- Draw or paint a story
- Write a story or letter about the experience
- Act out in dramatic play, through puppets, and/or create a social story
Also allow for unstructured time and space to encourage natural conversation. Monitor behavior and keep the lines of communication open. Some children
(and adults) may process their experience later.
See “Tips for Talking with and Helping Children Cope After a Disaster” for age appropriate support.
Self Care for Adults
Take good care. Remember to take breaks and replenish your spirit with friends, faith, family, music, or nature.
- Taking Care of Your Emotional Health
- Celebrate What’s Right with the World (Video)
- Fingerholds
- Brain-Body Healing Movements from Capacitar International
Resources on Coping
Use these resources for guidance on helping children to cope at home, in child care or school.
Videos
- Tips for Talking with and Helping Children Cope After a Disaster ( Companion Handout)
- Road to Resilience
- Coping with the Stress of Natural disaster (Video)
- Mr. Rogers on Tragic Events (Video)
- How to Talk to Children After an Earthquake – KTVA (Video)
- Sesame Street Episode on Natural Disasters (Video)
Publications
- Natural Disaster Resources for Schools and Families Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
- Tips for Talking to Children after Traumatic Events
- Helping Children After a Natural Disaster: Information for Families and Educators National Association of School Psychologists (Spanish)
- Identifying Severely Traumatized Children: Tips for Parents and Educators
- A Guide to Educating Traumatized Childen
- Coping with Traumatic Stress Reactions (Spanish)
Children’s Books
- Trinka and Sam: The Day the Earth Shook (Spanish)
- Molly and the Earthquake by Hannah Watkins
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Family Specific
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after an Earthquake
- Emergency Preparedness for Children with Special Needs
- The Daily Parent : Preparing Your Family for Disasters
- Early Childhood Disaster-Related Resources for Families & Children
Apps
- “Help Kids Cope” from National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Social Service Assistance for Families
If you are in a parenting crisis, or need more comprehensive social services assistance, contact the Alaska Parent Line by calling 2-1-1.
Technical Assistance for Child Care Programs
thread has compiled some helpful hints to support teachers, children, and families after an earthquake with resources in both English
and Spanish.
For additional information or consultation on helping children to cope or transitioning them back into a normal school routine, contact thread at 800.278.3723