|
|
Enron Mail |
Hello Brownie Families,
Below is an e-mail from our local Girl Scout council. It provides links and suggestions about discussing the recent terrorism with children. I pass it on as a potential resource for you. There are also ideas for ways we might provide service to help out. Joy Lee Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 7:17 AM Subject: What Can We Do to Help? < This is from Council. < +++++++++++ < Dear members of the Girl Scout family: < < Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for our sister Girl Scouts < and fellow Americans in New York and Washington, D.C. The Council has < received a number of calls from troop leaders and parents seeking advice < on how to work with the girls in the Girl Scout setting related to the < terrorism coverage. Many leaders are interested in identifying service < projects as well. We have asked the national organization for guidance on < projects we can adopt that can support the relief efforts and healing < process. We will let you know if there is a national project adopted. In < the meantime, there are things you can do in this community to help the < girls be pro-active, such as: < < 1 Make thank you cards for your local firefighters, police officers, and < medical professionals. < 2 Bake and take cookies to firefighters and police officers. < 3 Donate stuffed animals to fire stations. < 4 Learn about local blood banks and the importance of donating blood < year-round. < < We will continue to post ideas to the Council web site - www.gssjc.org. < Continue to check the web site for more information. If you have an idea, < let us hear about it. < < The following e-mail was received by the Council from the United Way of < the Texas Gulf Coast and is an excellent guide and reference for working < with children during this time: < < < Subject: FW: Talking with Children about Terrorism and War < < < Today's events will certainly be in news for quite some time, and many of < our lives may be disrupted in different ways for a long time. As many of us < watch the news and talk to others about the days events, our children will < certainly notice that something is going on. < < Parents may want to talk with older children about the days events and what < it might mean, but young children (under the age of 7 or 8) may be disturbed < by witnessing scenes of destruction on television or by listening in on < adult conversations. It may not be unusual if some young children react by < being more clinging, seeming a bit more concerned, or having difficulty at < bedtime. < < Although it might be important to allow older children to participate in < viewing and talking about the news, it might be wise to limit young < children's exposure to TV news. < < It is important that young children be reassured about their own safety and < the safety of their parents and loved ones. Subtle changes in parent's moods < and behaviors can have an affect on children especially if they witness < reactions in their parents that they have not seen before. < < Be prepared to spend extra time with children if necessary, and continue < normal routines and activities. Use the opportunity to explain how and why < people are reacting the way they are. < < In the days that come, we may be witness to preparations for retaliation < (or at least threats of retaliation). Certain groups of people may be < identified as terrorists. It will be a challenge for all of us to remind < ourselves and our children that we value peace. < < For more information and suggestions on how to talk with your children < about the today's events and the events in the coming days, see: < < Talking to Kids About War < AboutOurKids.org < New York University Child Study Center < http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/war.htm < http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/war.htm < < Talking About Conflict and War < The Learning Network < http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,20-6055,00.html < http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,20-6055,00.html < < Talking with Children about War - Pointers for Parents < The Learning Network < http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,1-4412,00.html < < Talking with Kids about the News < Children Now < http://www.childrennow.org/television/twk-news.htm < < ===================================================== < Aaron T. Ebata, Ph.D. < Associate Professor and Extension Specialist < Department of Human & Community Development < University of Illinois Extension < < Sharon M. Donovan, Ph.D., R.D. < Director, Division of Nutritional Sciences < http://www.nutrsci.uiuc.edu<; < Professor of Nutrition < Dept. of Food Science & Human Nutrition <http://www.fshn.uiuc.edu<; < Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics, College of Medicine < University of Illinois < 449 Bevier Hall < 905 S. Goodwin Avenue < Urbana, IL 61801 < phone: (217) 333-2289 or 333-4177 (secretary) < fax: (217) 333-9368 < < < <
|