What are some actions children and parents can take to help them cope following events of political violence?
Young children benefit from play. They may act out the events in the news and try to get control over the outcome. Some play activities related to political violence are building houses and knocking them down (and building them back up), pretending to shoot or drop bombs, hiding toys in a pile of blocks or in the sand and searching for them, pretending to be rescue workers or drawing pictures of war and peace. School-age children may want to help collect materials to support relief workers; draw, write poems, or letters; prepare a performance, such as a play, dance, or skits; write letters to children in the affected communities or those who have lost loved ones; or learn about politics or geography. Adolescents can help collect materials for the support of refugees and survivors, give blood, write letters to specific people or communities, organize a vigil or memorial service, or study politics, geography, terrorism, or reconciliation and mediation. Young adults can reach out to peopl
