East Coast Earthquake 2011

If you haven’t heard, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the East Coast of the United States around 2 p.m. today.  The earthquake’s center is in Virginia, but it was felt in Washington D.C., New York, Boston and as far north as Connecticut.

The Today show had an episode back in March with tips on how to keep your children calm during a natural disaster or emergency situation.  Studies show that parents can make a big impact on how children adjust during these types of situations.  When it comes to frightening news like earthquakes and tsunamis, how a parent responds makes all the difference. Of course most importantly is to stay calm. If they see you relaxed, they will not be as worried.  Secondly, don’t leave the news stations on.  Monitor what your child sees and keep them from seeing troubling news images. Explain the facts calmly, and let them express their concerns or ask whatever questions they have.  Keep to your regular schedule whenever possible….dinner, bedtime, etc.  Last but not least, watch for signs of anxiety or changes in behavior in your child.

Educational psychologist Dr. Michele Borba talks with TODAY’s Natalie Morales about ways you can calm your kids over scary news, including explaining facts to them simply and filtering what they watch and read. Tsunamis. Earthquakes. Radiation leaks. Nuclear meltdowns.  If you are feeling a bit jittery about the news lately, imagine how our kids must feel. 8 ways to calm kids’ jitters in a scary world.

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