Understanding Trauma Through a Child’s Eyes after a Disaster Event

Stephen Thompson, MA, CCWS, CHRS, EdD(c)
Director of Global Programs & Impact 

Introduction: Seeing What Children Cannot Always Say

After a wildfire, children often carry emotional injuries that are not visible. A child who lost their home, their pet, their school, or their sense of normal may not have the words to say, “I’m afraid,” or “I don’t feel safe.” Instead, they may show it in tears, silence, tantrums, clinginess, or even unexpected bursts of laughter.

As a wildfire responder, teacher, shelter worker, or community support provider, you may find yourself face-to-face with children who seem shut down or overwhelmed. This article is meant to help you better understand how trauma impacts children and what you can do, even in small ways, to help them feel seen, safe, and supported.

What Does Trauma Look Like in Children?

Trauma is not just the event. It is the emotional response that follows. For children, trauma can show up in many ways depending on their age, personality, culture, and previous life experiences.

Here are some common reactions you might observe after a disaster like a wildfire:

Young Children (Ages 0–5)

• Regression (wetting the bed, thumb-sucking)
• Increased clinginess or separation anxiety
• Trouble sleeping or eating
• Tantrums or unprovoked crying

School-Aged Children (Ages 6–12)

• Physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches
• Withdrawal from peers or activities
• Fear of being alone or of another fire happening
• Difficulty concentrating in school or group settings
• Changes in behavior, such as aggression or defiance

Teens (Ages 13–18)

• Irritability, mood swings, or emotional numbness
• Risk-taking behaviors or shutting down
• Difficulty talking about feelings or asking for help
• Feeling responsible for the safety of others
• Expressing hopelessness or questioning their future

How Trauma Affects a Child’s Sense of Safety

Children rely on the adults around them to feel safe. When their environment becomes unpredictable, or when caregivers are also under stress, it can deeply shake their sense of stability.

Key ways trauma may impact a child’s sense of the world:

• “The world is not safe anymore.”
• “Bad things happen without warning.”
• “I need to stay alert all the time.”
• “If I talk about what happened, I’ll make others upset.”

This is especially important in shelters, schools, and community programs where children may still be in a state of survival even after the fire is out.

What You Can Do to Help

You do not need to be a therapist to support a child who has experienced trauma. Small, consistent actions can go a long way.

1. 1. Be a Steady Presence

• Greet them warmly, even if they don’t respond right away.
• Let them know you’re glad to see them, without pressure to engage.

2. Respect Their Pace

• Do not force conversations. Some children will open up quickly, others need time.
• Offer choices whenever possible to help them feel in control.

3. Create Safe Structure

• Stick to predictable routines and explain what will happen next.
• Use calm voices and clear expectations.

4. 4. Help Them Name What They Feel

• Use simple language: “It’s okay to feel sad or scared after something big happens.”
• Model calm breathing and help them notice how their body feels.

5. 5. Make Space for Play

• Play is how children process what they cannot say. Offer art supplies, building materials, or time for movement when possible.

6. 6. Watch for Red Flags

• If a child seems to be getting worse, not better, refer to a school counselor, mental health provider, or trusted adult in their support circle.

Tips You Can Use Right Now

• Offer comfort without needing to fix
  Try saying, “I’m here with you,” instead of “Don’t cry” or “Be strong.”
• Ground the environment
  Post a simple daily schedule or checklist in visible places so children know what to expect.
• Create calm-down kits
  Include stress balls, soft items, coloring sheets, or breathing cards. Use them as needed.
• Build connection
  Remember a child’s name. Compliment a strength you see in them, no matter how small.
• Check-in with caregivers
  Ask how the child has been doing lately. Listen without judgment. Caregivers are often carrying their own trauma too.

Conclusion: Your Support Can Be a Turning Point

Children may not remember every word you say, but they will remember how they felt around you. When you show up with warmth, structure, and patience, you give them something powerful: a sense of safety in an unsafe time.

In the wake of disaster, your presence and care can be the beginning of a child’s healing. Sometimes, it only takes one calm adult to start rebuilding what has been lost.