Confronting War and the Threat
of Terrorism
Advice for Teachers and
Counselors
America is at war. Perhaps in no other
state do the issues raised by war hit as close to home – and school
– as in Virginia. Thousands of the commonwealth’s school children have
said goodbye to parents and other loved ones who are now deployed overseas
or in another part of the state or country. Teachers and counselors
must be prepared to help these children through this difficult time.
The Virginia Department of Education
offers the following advice for teachers and other educators:
- Allow time for age-appropriate classroom discussion of current events.
Teachers should guide discussions but not dominate.
- Stick to facts when discussing current events. Refrain from offering
opinions children could interpret as unsupportive of a parent or family
member serving in the armed forces of the United States.
- Inform parents if children display extreme levels of anxiety or
fear. If warranted, advise parents of the availability of school and
community counseling services.
- Be calm. Children take emotional cues from teachers and other significant
adults. Don’t speculate on subjects that could cause fear and anxiety,
such as potential outcomes of military operations.
- Adherence to established school schedules and classroom routines
may reduce anxiety among young children.
- In discussions about debate over foreign policy, emphasize that
under our constitution, citizens have the right to express unpopular
opinions.
- Compare everyday life in the United States now with life in America
during other conflicts.
- Remind children that it is not fair to blame all members of a religious
of a ethnic group for the actions of a few, or of their government.
- Encourage parents to monitor or restrict viewing of television coverage.
Overexposure to graphic scenes can traumatize young children.
- Include school psychologists, counselors, and crisis team members
in planning for future domestic and international events. Incorporate
strategies for troubleshooting and monitoring student needs.
Teachers and counselors may find the information offered on the following
Web sites useful in assisting children and leading discussions of current
events:
American Counseling Association
Dealing with Tragedy:
Resources for Counselors
American School Counselor Association
Deployment
Issues
National Association of School Psychologists
Coping
in Unsettling Times
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Managing
Anxiety in Times of Crisis
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Scroll down to Terrorism-Related
Resources
Military Family Resource Center
Enduring Freedom
Resources