“It’s important to validate whatever feelings they have, and make sure you show you understand their feelings,” Young says.
Explaining that bushfires and other disasters are scary even for adults can acknowledge children’s feelings without dismissing them. Coming from a position of strength is also important, she says, to demonstrate that there are many people who can help people be safe in the event of a bushfire.
“What books do, and any reading, is it normalises [an experience], presents this as something that happens to lots of people,” Young says. Reading may not just be about bushfires, but any trauma or disaster. “This can allow children to ask questions and stimulate conversation.”