fkaCS extends sympathy about bushfire crisis, offering free resource to support

fka Children’s Services (fkaCS) has extended its deepest sympathies to all families, communities and services affected by the bushfire crisis, also offering deep appreciation to the Victorian Fire Services and those firefighters joining the fight from abroad.

 

As many education and care professionals return to work in the coming weeks, if they have not already, they will be met with children and families who have had their normal festive celebrations marred by sadness, shock and anxiety. Services will find themselves supporting children and families that have experienced the trauma of bush fires, either first hand or through the media.

 

In many instances, fkaCS said, early childhood professionals themselves will also be trying to come to terms with the loss we have faced both individually and as a nation. Within this context, and within our work with young children, “it is important that we are equipped to discuss the natural disasters we face and support the wellbeing of children, families and colleagues” a spokesperson said.

 

With this in mind, fkaCS has made the What Happened to MY World? resource freely available. 

 

First published in 2005, in response to Hurricane Katrina, Jim Greenman generously offered permission for the publication to be adapted to suit the Australian climate, in response to the 2009 Black Saturday fires and the 2009 Queensland floods, sharing the voices of Australian families who experienced these natural disasters first hand.

 

The resource is aimed at helping both early childhood professionals and families build knowledge and practices to support children in their understanding of what is happening in the world around them. This resource also describes how children may present their anxiety, confusion and grief within these circumstances. 

 

There are a range of practical strategies for talking to children about what they have witnessed – whether in person or via the media – along with ways to build resilience that cover a range of age groups. 

 

“We hope that sharing What Happened to MY World? with you and your communities will prove a helpful resource not only in supporting children, families and educators alike, but also in continuing to strengthen our resilience as a nation as we face this challenge together” a representative from fkaCS said. 

 

View the publication here.