Disaster Response Children's Activities

In the wake of disaster, children will need our help to process what is happening. Many good suggestions are located on the website for the General Board of Discipleship at www.gbod.org/children - click on "children and crisis."

Another helpful resource is the National Mental Health Association’s website found at www.nmha.org – click on "helping children cope." They offer specific tips for assisting pre-schoolers, grade-schoolers, and youth cope with these types of issues.

Many children will want to "help" with the disaster response. Consider some of the following suggestions:

1. Encourage children to pray for the survivors, the families of the victims, and for the rescue teams/relief agencies/churches who are doing all they can for the people affected by this disaster. 
2. Encourage families to monitor children’s media viewing – be sure to allow discussion time after news programs. Families should find time to be together as a family – this offers the reassurance of safety through "together time."
3. Have children put together health kits or flood buckets. Be sure to discuss with the children why each of these are needed.
4. Think about how you may creatively offer the opportunity for a financial collection for UMCOR –have children place change in a special container – a boot, a box covered with a map of the areas affected, a bag made out of the blanket, empty water bottles.

Thank you for your sensitive consideration of the children in your church and community.