CHILDREN AND WAR

We have received many inquiries and many suggestions about the current conflict in Iraq. We believe that more than ever early childhood leaders, parents, grandparents and all caring human beings need to come together to find ways to help our children create futures based on caring and community.

We have also been asked for resources to help teachers talk to children and parents about the war. Below is a list which provides a variety of resources for you to consider:

1. www.ChildCareExchange.com

For the next thirty days you will be able to access for free on our web site two recent articles for helping children in times of trauma: the Exchange Column by Karen Stephens, "Children Need Attentive Support during Wartime"; and a Roslyn Duffy column, "Making it Better". In addition in the same section you will find "Guidelines for Helping Children During the War", from World Forum team member Diane Levin. You can access these articles by going to:

http://mail.ccie.com/catalog/free_articles.php

2. Australian Early Childhood Association

Our World Forum Alliance partner, AECA,in conjunction with Child and Youth Health in South Australia, offers their insights on children and the war at:

http://www.aeca.org.au/Effects%20of%20War.html

3. National Association for the Education of Young Children

Our World Forum Alliance partner, NAEYC, has a variety of helpful resources at:

http://www.naeyc.org/resources/eyly/1998/22.htm

4. Bright Horizons Family Solutions

World Forum sponsor Bright Horizons provides sample letters, advice, and resources at:

http://www.brighthorizons.com/talktochildren/

5. Zero to Three

Zero to Three provides advice for protecting and reassuring very young children at:

http://www.zerotothree.org

6. United Nations

The UN offers a curriculum on peace education at:

http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/peace/index.asp

7. UNICEF

For information on the status of the children of Iraq, go to:

http://www.unicefusa.org/emergencies/iraq

8. New York University Child Study Center

Resources for helping parents, teachers and mental health professionals explain war and terrorism to children can be found at:

http://www.aboutourkids.org

(Some information adapted from the Child Care Exchange)

Colleen Wainwright
Director, MUM's Tots Early Childhood Center
Prekindergarten Education Coordinator
Miami University Middletown