Processing A Fire Drill

Our first fire drill went well today, although it was without the actual alarm (we did play some audio of what it would sound like, but this was much quieter than the real thing).  Fire drills are required by law, and so we must do them.  Still, we must realize that a fire drill can have an extremely profound effect on young children.

In the aftermath of the fire drill, some of the youngest children (and even older ones) may have questions.  Some may have fears.  Before the experience today, we talked about how this was not a real fire but a practice of what might happen if there were an emergency and we needed to leave the building.  We talk to children about how a loud noise is made to let us know to leave so that we may be safe.  Despite our preparations, however, some children still experience the drill dramatically.  It sparks the idea of an emergency, and this can be a new concept for young children.

How can you help your child process this experience?

Minimize fear.  Talk about how an emergency did not actually happen, and while it's important to prepare for one, it is unlikely to ever happen at the school or at home.  Older children may benefit from being prepared, but younger children are more scared than protected by the idea.  While it's important to tell children there is nothing to fear, it's also important to acknowledge and validate the existence of their fears.

Discuss ways to protect your ears from loud noises.  While your child did not hear the bell this time, they will in the future.  Talking about how your child has the power to minimize loud sounds by covering their ears with hands can give them some sense of control and preparation for when those loud sounds do appear.

Explore your child's questions and emotions.  Let your child lead the discussion so that it might help you ascertain how the experience affected them.  From that point, you can find ways to help your child process the experience.

Read a book.  Two great books about fire drills are:  Arthur’s Fire Drill by Marc Brown, and Fire Drill by Paul DuBois Jacobs.

Act it out.  Have a pretend drill at home where your child can talk about feelings while it happens, or act it out with dolls/toys.  Practicing with favorite adults can help children stay calm during fearful experiences.

Fire Drills are an important way to save lives and protect young children, but it is also important for parents and educators to realize that these events can have a dramatic effect on the youngest of children.  Toddlers may have little awareness of what is happening, but for primary children, the impact can be real.  Taking time to help children through processing the experience can make all the difference!