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Managing children’s immediate reactions to disaster

Emerging Minds, Australia, December 2025

Related to Bushfires, Disasters, Floods
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There are a range of common and expected immediate responses children may have to a frightening or overwhelming experience like those that occur in bushfire, flood or cyclone.

Children’s experience of disaster, whether they were injured or in danger, and the outcomes for loved ones, will shape their responses. Other influences include age, coping skills and what stage they’re at developmentally.

Possible reactions

  • Infants and children are often overwhelmed during disaster and their immediate response may be to freeze, physically and/or emotionally, or scream and cry inconsolably.
  • They may find it difficult to be fully aware of what is going on around them. Or, they may also be overly aware of some details that can become magnified for them.
  • They will commonly be confused and struggle to make sense of what is happening.
  • Infants and children are likely to be deeply afraid and highly anxious, and will seek out you or another secure family member for constant reassurance that they will be OK.
  • They may also experience intense physical and psychological reactions such as:
    • nausea
    • heart palpitations
    • loss of bowel and bladder control
    • increased babbling and hyperarousal
    • increased fearfulness about any perceived or real threat
    • becoming clingy and fearing separation
    • sleep difficulties
    • general bodily complaints, e.g. stomach pains, headaches
    • difficulties concentrating
    • becoming withdrawn, sad, and in some cases, depressed
    • displaying aggression.
  • Babies and toddlers also commonly move backwards in abilities they have previously been progressing well with, such as walking, crawling, sitting, talking and toileting. In addition to sleep or feeding problems, they may demonstrate increased irritability and extreme distress when separated from you.

During and after disaster, infants and children will have an overwhelming need to feel the protection, safety and comfort of the most important and familiar people in their lives – their parents or caregivers, extended family, friends and educators.

Managing reactions

The following suggestions are aimed at helping children:

  • regain a sense of emotional and physical safety
  • feel protected from the powerful and confronting force of the disaster’s events
  • be comforted and calmed
  • gradually make sense of what has happened.

They also help limit the potentially damaging effects of the disaster experience and provide the first steps towards the recovery process.

What infants and children need

  • Be there. One of the best things you can do for your children right now is simply be there for them. Stressful events can change how children view the world around them and make them feel like they are no longer safe. Your comfort, support and reassurance that you will get through this together are key to your children’s recovery.
  • Avoid unnecessary separation of your child/ren from you – their parents, carers or siblings. Try to maintain a calm, non-threatening environment. If there are times where you have to separate, try to keep in touch by text, voice or video calls and emails. For more tips, see our fact sheet for first responder parents.
  • Take care of basic health needs including medical care, shelter, clean water, warmth, nourishing food and rest.
  • Maintain familiar objects, routines and places.
  • Explain what has happened. And if known, tell them what will happen next (e.g. going to the evacuation centre).

When will my child feel better?

Reactions immediately after a traumatic event are intense and usually at their worst during the first few weeks. The intensity of feelings you and your child/ren experience may fluctuate but will eventually regulate (i.e. be able to manage our thoughts, feelings and behaviours in ways that help us to function day-to-day and achieve our goals). These intense feelings may return when you are reminded of the event. Refer to More tips below for advice on supporting your child’s and your own mental health in the days and weeks following disaster.

Getting help

If you’re worried about your child’s responses – or if you’re having difficulty coping yourself – seek advice and support from local disaster support services, evacuation centre staff and your GP or family health professional.

It’s important to remember that while children of all ages can be profoundly affected by traumatic experiences such as bushfires, floods, cyclones and other disasters, most children will recover with time, care and reassurance.

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