Our thoughts at the Educational Research Institute go out to the people and communities affected by the recent floods. In relation to this, we are making available a package of materials for conducting educational activities to help those in the affected areas. They have been structured in such a way that many of the tips for coping with a crisis can be used not only by children and youth, but also by adults.
Teachers in flood-affected areas, themselves in a difficult situation, face a particular challenge in providing support to their pupils. We are providing a package of materials for conducting personal development classes. It has been structured in such a way that many of the tips for coping with a crisis can be used not only by children and young people, but also by adults. Teachers are encouraged to also think about enhancing their own sense of wellbeing as they read through the materials. When in an airplane, an adult first puts the oxygen mask on themselves, and then on their child – it is worth remembering this. First take care of your own emotions and thoughts, try to stabilise them.
Information about the flood is everywhere right now. School children are listening, observing and sensing the anxiety of adults. On the other hand, their ability to adapt is reduced. This is why they should not be left alone with their thoughts and emotions. It is important to create a comfortable atmosphere for calm conversation, to answer their questions and concerns, to share the strategies of coping in a crisis. It is important to understand that in a highly stressful situation, pupils may become irritable, distracted, have lower self-esteem and a weaker ability to focus attention and learn. They may burst into tears, exhibit anger or withdraw from relationships and activities. These are all normal reactions to a very difficult situation that you can help them get through. What's more – we can help them build new competences of coping in a crisis.
We are aware that several hundred pre-schools and schools have suspended classes due to the floods. Some pupils and their families have been evacuated away from their homes and therefore also from the place where they learn. Some, however, continue to come to school for classes. Therefore, the materials prepared assume that they can be used in different ways. The materials are suitable for mixed groups, where there will be children from the affected areas and those who only know about the situation from the media.
It is worth remembering that pupils have different predispositions for dealing with difficult situations. Sometimes a child or young person from an objectively less threatened area may experience the situation more strongly than a pupil from an area directly affected by the floods. There may also be an overlap of crises in a person's life (e.g., a depressive-anxiety disorder is joined by a difficult situation relating to the floods), which may increase how the situation is experienced, while at the same time weakening coping mechanisms. Therefore, careful, calm observation and conversation will be key to providing psychosocial support to pupils.
The material has been prepared by the team of the project “Supporting the accessibility of education for children and youth” of the Educational Research Institute.
The ABCs of supporting children affected by natural disasters
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