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Helping Children to Cope
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From: Monica R. Edinger <edinger>
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 09:09:22 -0700
Firstly, not that anyone has posted to ask about those of us in NYC and DC, but I'm okay. I must admit that I am very surprised since even my sister, who knew rationally that I lived and worked uptown, far from the World Trade Center, was desperate to hear from me on Tuesday to be absolutely sure. I was especially puzzled at the silence here since it was in such profound contrast to all other lists I'm on where posts were immediate to find out we were okay (whatever the rules of the lists, mind you.) Just to let you know, those posts and all the private emails were extraordinarily comforting at a pretty bad time.
Secondly, as for coping books, until this week I never had to deal firsthand with children and vast tragedy such as the one that happened to us here in New York on Tuesday. However, I had always suspected that most children directly affected in such an event would prefer books that NOT deal with coping, but something normal, even funny. (Anyone ever see Sullivan's Travels?) Horribly, this week my instinct was confirmed. My fourth graders yesterday emphatically voted for school and no more talk or attention to the events of Tuesday.
Kathy Isaacs has written to me of conversations she has had with her DC sixth graders using the regular literature of their studies, no special coping books seem to be necessary. I am sure whenever I do finally start school (Tuesday was my fourth graders' first day, we had no school Wednesday, started late and ended abruptly early yesterday with a bomb scare, no school today, and I have no idea about Monday) properly that we will use our regular books (Charlotte's Web, for example) to filter through the fears and issues of our students. Every person responds differently. I knew that about other things and it is being said over and over about this. One child may appreciate a coping book while another may simply be made worst by it.
At any rate, I understand the desperate wish to do something, but books are just not always the best vehicle. In fact, they could be just the opposite.
Monica
Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Fri 14 Sep 2001 11:09:22 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 09:09:22 -0700
Firstly, not that anyone has posted to ask about those of us in NYC and DC, but I'm okay. I must admit that I am very surprised since even my sister, who knew rationally that I lived and worked uptown, far from the World Trade Center, was desperate to hear from me on Tuesday to be absolutely sure. I was especially puzzled at the silence here since it was in such profound contrast to all other lists I'm on where posts were immediate to find out we were okay (whatever the rules of the lists, mind you.) Just to let you know, those posts and all the private emails were extraordinarily comforting at a pretty bad time.
Secondly, as for coping books, until this week I never had to deal firsthand with children and vast tragedy such as the one that happened to us here in New York on Tuesday. However, I had always suspected that most children directly affected in such an event would prefer books that NOT deal with coping, but something normal, even funny. (Anyone ever see Sullivan's Travels?) Horribly, this week my instinct was confirmed. My fourth graders yesterday emphatically voted for school and no more talk or attention to the events of Tuesday.
Kathy Isaacs has written to me of conversations she has had with her DC sixth graders using the regular literature of their studies, no special coping books seem to be necessary. I am sure whenever I do finally start school (Tuesday was my fourth graders' first day, we had no school Wednesday, started late and ended abruptly early yesterday with a bomb scare, no school today, and I have no idea about Monday) properly that we will use our regular books (Charlotte's Web, for example) to filter through the fears and issues of our students. Every person responds differently. I knew that about other things and it is being said over and over about this. One child may appreciate a coping book while another may simply be made worst by it.
At any rate, I understand the desperate wish to do something, but books are just not always the best vehicle. In fact, they could be just the opposite.
Monica
Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Fri 14 Sep 2001 11:09:22 AM CDT
