The Peace Forum for Children
The Peace Forum is dedicated to teachers and students who want to explore the events of September 11th, 2002.
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Resources |
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Children's Literature about September 11th |
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Debriefing a Crisis for Elementary Teachers |
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See a Time-Line and pictures of the events of September, 11th, 2001 |
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Read how the White House suggests we remember the day |
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Brainstorm ideas about New York after the collapse of the Twin Towers and send your ideas to Imagine NY |
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Pre-School Resources |
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Community Helper : Firefighter |
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Community Helper : Ten Little Firemen |
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Community Helper :Make a Fire Truck |
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Our Feelings : to talk about the feelings we have. Explain that sometimes we feel happy: sometimes we are excited etc., Ask students who have been exposed to the television coverage of the acts of terrorism, how they feel about what they saw. Accept all feelings as valid. It is important to stress that the children are safe. |
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Teacher, Promote peace and understanding by finding an overseas classroom to connect with at Class Connect. |
Learn how to talk to children about grief, loss and terrorism
How can kids help the families affected by Sept. 11th?
Light a Memorial Candle for the people who lost their lives.
One Year Later - How to talk to students about remembering September 11th
Brainstorm with your students, their ideas and thoughts about Sept. 11 - Ask them to post their ideas at The Peace Forum online.
Meet the Heroes of Flight 93
See how students can make a difference at Kids making a Difference
Tips for Teachers :
• Reassure children that they and their families are safe.
• Keep the lines of communication open and let them ask questions.
• Respond honestly to their questions — children are often more aware of their surroundings than adults realize; it's important to be honest and maintain their trust.
• Protect children against things they don't need to know.
• Understand younger children might act out events in play to communicate their feelings.
Help the children feel secure : Let children know that we adults will do our best to keep them safe and care for their needs. We can also do our best to keep things as normal as possible. Knowing what to expect comforts children; continuing familiar routines can go a long way toward providing security.
Focus on the helpers : Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. That's where you need to focus your attention -- to the many caring people in this world.
Limit children's television viewing of the news events : Think of what we've seen recently on the news. Those images are clearly too graphic and disturbing for young children.
Be a good Listener : Be a good listener. Even if we wanted to, it would be impossible to help young children understand about terrorist attacks. If they ask questions, your best answer may be to ask them, "What do you think happened?" If the answer is "I don't know," then the simplest reply might be, "I'm sad about the news, and I'm worried. But I love you, and I am here for you."
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Art Activities |
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Print a Flag pattern for your students to learn about the US Flag |
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Print American Flags |
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Visit the Kids International Peace Museum to see how children can express themselves in writing and art for peace. |
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Make a Remembrance Bracelet |
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Visit The Making a Difference Art Gallery and post a picture of a drawing. |
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More Ideas |
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Ready-to-Use
Conflict Resolution Activities
for Students |
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Write Letters to the New York Fire Department - Discuss with your students the important work done by the Fire Fighters. You may like to discuss all community helpers and their roles. Talk about how they protect and keep us safe. Brainstorm words - appreciate, safe, community, protect, and draft letters to the Fire Fighters whose role was so crucial in the past week. |
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A World At Peace - Designed for younger students (grades 2-6), this lesson plan invites students to brainstorm the basic rights of people everywhere, explore the United Nation's Declaration of Human Rights, and then use international photography galleries as part of a multimedia creative writing assignment imagining a world at peace. |
