Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/building-emotional-competence-a-strategy-for-disaster-preparation-and-recovery/5017520/
This article is dedicated to all of the volunteers of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters who provided recovery experiences for children and their families. Their emotional competence in the face of terrible conditions and limited resources was incredible.Many publications on disaster preparedness and recovery are now available through schools, libraries, government agencies, early childhood organizations, and the Internet. Materials offer specific activities to help early childhood education programs and families appropriately prepare for and respond to natural- or human-caused disasters that threaten property and lives.
When response efforts required for large scale catastrophe operate effectively, the impact of the disaster on individuals and families may be moderated. Yet, in worst case situations, recovery efforts may initially be uncoordinated and chaotic. Individuals and families in these circumstances are forced to rely on themselves and their immediate connections. Even successful disaster planning and response may be insufficient to provide the necessary support providers, children, and families need for maintaining emotional stability during and after the turmoil. Recovering well-being after a collectively experienced tragedy, as Gulf Coast residents, 9/11 survivors, tsunami victims, and others impacted by disasters have discovered, may take quite some time.
We authors believe that it is pertinent to explore ways we ...