[originaltext] Natural disasters affect people at all levels. The experience

Natural disasters affect people at all levels. The experience can cause people to feel angry, helpless, and afraid.
    Mental health experts are worried about children who experience a tragic event before they are eleven years of age. They say such children are three times more likely to develop mental problems than those who experience their first tragedy later in life.
    Experts say children are better able to deal with a tragedy if parents, friends and other adults help them understand the experience. They say help should start as soon as possible after the event. Experts offer a number of suggestions about how to explain a tragedy to children. They say that how adults react to a child’s feelings and questions is important to helping a child feel safe again.
    First, experts say parents should try to control their reaction to the tragedy. Parents should remain as calm as possible. They say children will react to what they see.
    Next, adults should help children feel secure. Listen to the worries children express, without judging them. Parents should talk to their children. Tell children repeatedly that they and other loved ones are safe. Also, family members need to gather in one area and spend more time together.
    Some experts ask adults to limit their time with radio or television when children are present. Experts also suggest that parents return to their normal activities as soon as possible. They say people of all ages like to have an established way of doing things.