By Leslie K. Taylor, PhD
It’s the end of the school year and many children and families are ready for days at the swimming pool, having cookouts or planning for vacation. Summer also marks the beginning of hurricane season, with heavy spring rains as common reminders of Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, Florence, or Michael. Children may have questions about thunderstorms, flooding, or what will happen if there’s a hurricane. Whether these questions are an indication of curiosity or potential nervousness about inclement weather, it’s important for parents to provide answer calm and thoughtful answers. Children’s concerns about disaster are not always fully appreciated by adults. It’s important for parents to ask children questions and gain understanding of their children’s knowledge and perspective of hurricanes, provide them developmentally appropriate information about how to prepare, and for parents to know and anticipate what their children will need from them during these events.
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