Family Planning

Talking to Kids About Emergency Preparedness

The goal is to give children enough knowledge to feel calm and capable during an emergency — not to scare them. Here's how to do it by age.

Parent and child looking at a map or book together at home

Children who understand the plan are calmer during emergencies than those who don't. That's not a guess — it's what emergency psychologists consistently find.

The key is age-appropriate information. A 5-year-old needs to know their address and a parent's phone number. A 12-year-old can understand the full family communication plan.

Continue ReadingUse the related guides and checklist links below to keep building your household preparedness.

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