Children react to disasters in many different ways. Some may seem frightened or upset straight away, while others may not show signs of distress until days or even weeks later. Most reactions are normal responses to an abnormal event and improve with time, especially when children feel safe, supported, and connected to caring adults.
Children often look to parents and other trusted adults for reassurance. They notice how adults respond, so staying as calm as you can and providing honest, age-appropriate information can help children feel safer.
Common Reactions Children May Experience
Every child is different. Some children may show only one or two of these reactions, while others may experience several. Some children may appear unaffected at first but develop reactions later.
Children of any age may experience:
- Difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, or nightmares.
- Feeling jumpy, alert, or constantly ‘on guard’.
- Worrying about the safety of themselves, family members, friends, or pets.
- Increased sensitivity to aftershocks, loud noises, alarms, or vibrations.
- Fear that another earthquake or disaster will happen.
- Difficulty concentrating or paying attention.
- Becoming quieter than usual or withdrawing from friends and activities.
- Becoming more irritable, emotional, or argumentative.
- Physical complaints such as headaches, stomach aches, or other unexplained aches and pains.
- Becoming distressed by news reports, social media, or reminders of the earthquake.
- Feelings of grief, sadness, or loss.
- Losing interest in activities they usually enjoy.
Preschool children (1–5 years)
Young children may also:
- Become more clingy than usual.
- Cry more often.
- Return to earlier behaviours such as thumb sucking or bedwetting.
- Develop new fears (for example, fear of the dark, strangers, animals, or being separated from parents).
- Re-enact frightening experiences during play.
- Become unusually restless or, at times, unusually quiet or still.
School-Aged Children (6–11 years)
Children in this age group may also:
- Withdraw from friends or favourite activities.
- Have difficulty concentrating at school.
- Show a decline in school performance.
- Develop fears that seem unrelated or exaggerated.
- Believe they caused or could have prevented what happened.
- Appear emotionally numb or detached.
Adolescents (12–17 years)
Teenagers may also experience:
- Flashbacks or vivid memories of the earthquake.
- Declining school performance.
- Increased risk-taking behaviours, including alcohol or drug use.
- Feelings of guilt about what happened or about people who were injured or died.
- Symptoms of anxiety or depression.
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide (this requires immediate professional support).
Aftershocks May Increase Anxiety: Aftershocks are a normal part of the recovery process after a large earthquake. Even when children know they are expected, they can still feel frightened or unsettled. Children may become clingier, more fearful, or upset after experiencing another tremor. Reassure them that these feelings are normal, follow official safety advice together, and return to familiar routines as soon as it is safe to do so.
How Parents and Caregivers Can Help
Model a calm, reassuring response: Children take emotional cues from trusted adults. It is okay to show your own feelings, but try to remain calm and reassuring. Let children know that the adults around them are working together to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Listen and validate feelings: Give children opportunities to talk, ask questions, or simply share how they are feeling. Listen without judgement and let them know their feelings are understandable.
Answer questions honestly: Give simple, age-appropriate explanations. Be honest if you don’t know the answer to a question. Reassure children that trusted adults are continuing to keep them safe and informed.
Help children feel safe: Talk about what your family will do if another earthquake or aftershock happens. Practising simple safety plans together can help children feel more prepared and less anxious.
Maintain routines: Children feel more secure when life is predictable. As much as possible, keep regular routines around meals, sleep, school, and family activities. If old routines are no longer possible, create new ones together.
Limit exposure to distressing news and social media: Repeated viewing of earthquake footage, damaged buildings, or alarming social media posts can increase children’s anxiety. Check in with older children and teenagers about what they are seeing online and encourage regular breaks from news coverage.
Be mindful of adult conversations: Children often overhear conversations and may misunderstand what they hear. Try to avoid discussing distressing information where young children can listen.
Encourage children to help: Giving children simple, age-appropriate jobs can help restore a sense of control and confidence. They might help pack supplies, tidy shared spaces, check on neighbours, help prepare meals, or care for pets.
Be patient: Children may need extra reassurance, attention, or reminders for a while. Recovery takes time, and every child adjusts at their own pace.
Support healthy sleep: Bedtime can be particularly difficult after a frightening experience. Keeping a calming bedtime routine, reading together, or spending a little extra time with your child before sleep can help them feel more secure. Some children may temporarily want to sleep closer to their parents.
Stay hopeful: Children benefit from seeing hope and optimism. While acknowledging that life feels different right now, remind them that recovery takes time and that many people are working together to help the community rebuild.
When Should I Seek Extra Help?: Most children gradually recover with the support of caring adults. However, it is important to seek professional support if your child:
- Remains highly distressed for several weeks.
- Continues to have severe nightmares or sleep difficulties.
- Refuses to attend school or leave home.
- Becomes increasingly withdrawn or aggressive.
- Shows ongoing changes in eating, sleeping, or behaviour that concern you.
- Is unable to participate in normal daily activities.
- Talks about wanting to die, hurting themselves, or losing hope.
- If you are concerned about your child’s wellbeing, talk to your family doctor, your child’s school, or a mental health professional. Early support can make a significant difference.
Support Services
If you or your family would like additional support, help is available.
TELL Lifeline (English): 0800-300-8355
TELL Counselling English: 03 4550 1146 and Japanese: 03 4550 1147
TELL Website: https://telljp.com/
For support in other languages, Yorisoi hotline offers free phone and chat support in 10 languages, including Vietnamese and Tagalog. See https://www.since2011.net/yorisoi/n2/ for details.
Remember, most children recover well after disasters when they feel safe, supported, and connected to caring adults. Your presence, patience, and reassurance are among the most important things you can offer. Recovery takes time, and everyone recovers at their own pace. There will likely be good days and difficult days. By looking after yourself, staying connected with others, and seeking support when you need it, you can help yourself and your family move forward one step at a time.