Newswise — Never is a child’s curiosity stronger or the resulting questions more difficult to answer than when a natural disaster strikes. Following the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the National Center for Family Literacy is making special lessons available at its Wonderopolis.org website and on its homepage beginning Saturday, March 12.
At www.wonderopolis.org, parents will find information to help explain to children how the earthquake and resulting tsunami struck Japan and give them pertinent, accurate information about natural disasters.
“The best way to handle a child’s curiosity – especially about difficult subjects – is to provide easy-to-understand, factual information,” NCFL Vice President Emily Kirkpatrick said. “Wonderopolis.org is not only a tool to help encourage and ignite a child’s sense of wonder, but it also provides parents with helpful tools to respond to their children in age appropriate ways.
“Children are inundated with horrific pictures on the news, and it’s important for families to be able to discuss those fears as well as providing activities and outlets to escape the barrage of bad news."
In addition, at www.famlit.org, parents can access tips on literacy activities for families that engage their children in expressing their emotions and developing essential coping skills. Children become stronger and face future adversity with the tools they need, Kirkpatrick said.
The National Center for Family Literacy is the worldwide leader in family literacy. More than 1 million families have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL’s work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers. For more information, visit www.famlit.org.
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