--- title: "Restoring Calm: How to Help Children After a Traumatic Event" description: "Restoring Calm: How to Help Children After a Traumatic Event by Melissa Furdyn, LCSW" image: https://info.summusglobal.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Image_1200x400%20(29).png --- [Skip to content](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/restoring-calm-how-to-help-children-after-a-traumatic-event#main-content) [![Summus](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Summus_logos/summus2023_horizontal_rgb_600_72.png?width=200&height=37&name=summus2023_horizontal_rgb_600_72.png "Summus")](https://www.summusglobal.com/) [Log In](https://app.summusglobal.com/Login) September 05, 2024 # Restoring Calm: How to Help Children After a Traumatic Event ![Picture of Melissa Furdyn, LCSW, Mental Health and Wellbeing Clinical Lead at Summus](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/email_headshots/Melissa%20Furdyn.png?width=50&name=Melissa%20Furdyn.png) [Melissa Furdyn, LCSW, Mental Health and Wellbeing Clinical Lead at Summus](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/author/melissa-furdyn-lcsw-clinical-lead) [Share this page on Facebook](mailto:?body=https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/restoring-calm-how-to-help-children-after-a-traumatic-event) #### ![Copy of Blog Header Image\_1200x400 (29)](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Image_1200x400%20(29).png?width=960&height=320&name=Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Image_1200x400%20(29).png) Practical advice for parents and caregivers guiding kids through trauma: 1\. Foster a Sense of Safety Give children frequent hugs and provide reassurance that you’ll take care of them when they feel sad or scared. 2\. Stick to Routines Aim to keep consistent mealtimes and bedtimes, and follow family rules. Doing things with regularity offers children comfort, a sense of stability, and reassurance that life will be ok again. 3\. Stay Calm Avoid sharing your own anxieties with children and be mindful of your behavior and tone of voice while in their presence. 4\. Provide Age-Appropriate Information Children should receive details about a traumatic event from a trusted adult in a safe environment. Offer concise and honest explanations and encourage them to ask questions.  5\. It's Okay to Say, "I Don't Know" What children need most is a trusted adult who listens to their questions, acknowledges their feelings, and offers support. Don’t stress about having the perfect response. 6\. Encourage Enjoyment Support children in engaging in activities and playing with others. These distractions can help them feel a sense of normalcy and provide a positive outlet during challenging times. 7\. Limit Exposure to News Coverage It’s important to restrict or avoid news coverage, especially for toddlers and school-age children. Repeated exposure to distressing events on TV and in social media can make these events feel ongoing. Children who understand that bad events are temporary tend to recover more quickly. 8\. Recognize Individual Responses Every child copes with trauma differently. Some may seek the company of others, while some might need more alone time. Let your child know that it’s normal to experience and show emotions like anger, guilt, and sadness in different ways, and that it’s okay if they don’t express their feelings outwardly. 9\. Consider Seeking Professional Help If your child is struggling to cope with the aftermath of a traumatic event, it may be beneficial to seek support from a mental health professional. 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