Disasters such as last week's tornado in Clark and South Pymatuning Township are upsetting to everyone involved, especially children.

To help families deal with the tragedy of the Nov. 10 tornado, American Red Cross mental health volunteers have been canvassing the affected areas.

Children's fear and anxiety are very real, even though to adults they may seem exaggerated. For children who have not yet begun speaking, it is difficult for them to express their feelings. Instead they may be more irritable, cry more often and need to be held and cuddled frequently.

Children's reactions vary according to age.

Young children often cannot understand the concept of permanent loss. They may repeatedly re-create parts of the disaster in their play. These are normal reactions, and frequent reassurance of care and concern can comfort them.

Most school-age children have the ability to understand the permanence of loss from a trauma. They may become preoccupied by it, want to talk about it continually and may not be able to concentrate in school. They may also slip back into earlier behaviors.

Adolescents have a great need to appear knowledgeable and experienced to the world. They may need to feel their anxieties and fears are shared by their peers. Because they survived the trauma, they may feel immortal. This can lead to reckless behavior and taking dangerous risks.

The American Red Cross offers the following tips to help children deal with a crisis:

   » Because children of all ages benefit from routine, keep meals, activities and bedtimes as close to normal as possible.

   » Accept that they may have special needs. They may be more dependent for a period of time. Show more affection if they need it, let them keep a night light and don't mind if they return to a favorite teddy bear or blanket.

   » Disaster research has shown that unexpected messages or images on television are frightening to children, causing a re-appearance of stress-related problems. Anyone of any age can become what is called a "secondary victim" and can suffer emotional and physical problems. It is best not to allow children to watch news coverage of the disaster.

   » Give honest, simple and brief answers to their questions.

   » Make sure they understand your answers and the meaning you intend. Use words or phrases that won't confuse a child or make the world more frightening.

   » Create opportunities for children to talk with each other about what happened and how they are feeling.

   » Let the school help. The child's teacher may be sensitive to changes in the child's behavior and will be able to respond in a helpful way.

   » Even if you feel the world is an unsafe place, you can reassure your child by saying, "The event is over. Now we'll do everything possible to stay safe, and together we can help get things back to normal."

Getting professional help is a good idea if a child shows any of the following changes for longer than three months following the trauma:

   » Behavior or academic problems at school.

   » Angry outbursts.

   » Withdrawal from usual social activities or play with other children.

   » Frequent nightmares or other sleep disturbances.

   » Physical problems such as nausea, headaches, weight gain or loss.

   » Intense anxiety or avoidance behavior that is triggered by reminders of the event.

   » Depression or a sense of hopelessness about life or the future.

   » Alcohol or drug use problems.

   » Dangerous risk-taking behavior.

   » Continued worry about the event as a primary focus in life.

These tips came from the American Red Cross pamphlet "Helping Young Children Cope with Trauma." Copies are available at the Red Cross service center at the Clark Volunteer Fire Department and by calling the Mercer County chapter at (724) 981-3205.