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Understanding Crisis and Emergency Context
Understanding Crisis and Emergency Context
The young children may be seriously affected by crisis situations, including natural disasters, pandemic, family breakdowns and domestic violence. Children in Australia have had their security, routines, and relationships disrupted because of bushfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic which have long-term consequences related to early childhood education and care (Ewing et al., 2020; Hodge & McMahon, 2022). The ecological systems theory developed by Bronfenbrenner shows the impact of macro system crises (e.g. response to government) or exosystem crises (e.g. loss of parental jobs) on the immediate environment of children, including home and school (Bronfenbrenner, 1979).
The attachment theory also describes how stress and unstable relations can damage secure relations, which are essential to normal development (Bowlby, 1988; Hodge & McMahon, 2022). Educators are very important in the provision of stability, trust and emotional support during and after crisis. They assist children to adjust to change, become resilient, and feel safe once again through routine and care.
Impact on the children and families
Impact on the children and families
Resettlement or homelessness: It is possible to evict families, ruining their schedules and social support (Flatau et al., 2021).
Interrupted education: The lockdowns or movements can be the causes of the lack of learning opportunities and developmental delays (Ewing et al., 2020).
Violence exposure: Children who exposed to violence in the process of domestic violence experience or in the community experience of trauma can be emotionally and psychologically hurt long-term (National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children, 2022).
Inadequate service access: The access to community support networks, health, and education is inadequate and so is the access to an emergency (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2021).
Children are also especially vulnerable due to their reliance on the people they are taken care of and their inability to understand complex events. The crisis can also lead to financial struggle, psychological problems, or seclusion by the families (Hodge & McMahon, 2022).
Social Policy and Australian Responses
Social Policy and Australian Responses
Australian governments and organisations have put in place a number of programs to assist children and families in times of crises:
National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework (2018): the creation of resilience-building and disaster planning on all levels is promoted.
COVID-19 Early Childhood Education Relief Package (2020): It provided sustainability of the economy and access to the early learning services (Department of Education, 2020).
National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (2022032): Will offer the resolution and a prevention of domestic and family violence.
Trauma-infused practice guidelines were advocated by state and territory education department:
Bushfire and floods recovery: This amount is contributed by the local level governments and the early childhood agencies (Hodge & McMahon, 2022).
All these initiatives acknowledge the significance of protecting children development and wellbeing prior to, during and after emergencies. The targeted planning can be promoted using census data of the ABS (2021), which demonstrates the most vulnerable demographics, so that the policies are relevant to the current realities of families and communities.
Strategies for Practice
Strategies for Practice
Discover Rituals: Rituals and routines will assure children that they are secure in the time of confusion (Be You, 2023).
Trauma-Informed Practice: Be observant of the changes in behaviour because it could be an indicator of trauma, thus treat it with love and consistency (Bath, 2015).
Emergency Preparedness Education: Carry out emergency drilling with the children and brief the childrenin the language that they comprehend about the emergency (Australian Red Cross, 2023).
Build Relationships: The relations must be intimate and delicate to create the sense of trust and the sense of belonging (Hodge & McMahon, 2022).
Build an Emotional Release: You can utilise art, play, storytelling, mindfulness as a method of permitting the children the means of expressing and releasing emotions (Smiling Mind, 2023).
Community and Professional Partnerships
Emergency Services: coordinate with fire, police and medical emergency service providers to prepare the place and make it safe.
Child Protection and Crisis Services: This may involve the work done with the organisations such as Child Protection Helpline and Family Violence Services.
Community Recovery Organisations: Red Cross, St Vincent de Paul, and other NGOs are commonly present in terms of supporting families after disaster.
Counsellors/Child Psychologists: In case the child must handle trauma, referral to the counsellor or child psychologist can be prescribed (Emerging Minds, 2023).
Effective collaborations guarantee a synchronized response and better results of children who are the victims of crisis events (Hodge & McMahon, 2022).
0-5 years to children book
0-5 years to children book
When the Wind Stops- Consoles children by demonstrating that all endings are natural cycles and result in new beginnings. Zolotow, C. (1992).
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1157242.When_The_Wind_Stops
The Rabbit Listened -Lays the lesson of wise silence and sitting with a friend when they are angry. Doerrfeld, C. (2018).
https://www.dymocks.com.au/the-rabbit-listened-by-cori-doerrfeld-9781912650149#tab-label-description
Comon on rain – Provides hope and rejuvenation by the happiness that replaces a long time of struggle. Hesse, K. (1992).
https://www.wheelersbooks.com.au/product/Come-On-Rain-Karen-Hesse/9780590331258
The Invisible String - Allays the fears of children that when they are separated by distance, love and connection are still strong. Karst, P. (2000).
https://fliphtml5.com/cdscw/fmux/basic
children’s videos, educational shows, podcasts
children’s videos, educational shows, podcasts
Play School Special: Hello Friends (ABC Kids)- what is Coronavirus? https://iview.abc.net.au/show/play-school-hello-friends
Sesame street in communities- Coping with Emergencies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmpabfHpw0Q
Emerging Minds Podcast Series –Child mental health and trauma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MSnlNGoSPg
Kids Helpline Podcasts: This is to help children who are under stress and emergencies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1iS-fmyI3U
These materials assist teachers and parents in helping children go through the rough moments with care. With the assistance of these tools, educators make children feel safe, valued, and supported in the times of crisis.
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