The Importance of Tsunami Education for Kids and How to Educate Them

An earthquake and a tsunami can occur at any time. People should have a better understanding of these two disasters since they are deadly events, including the kids. Kids are the most vulnerable, besides the elderly and people with disabilities, so it is important to consider tsunami education for kids.

The critical situation between the earthquake and the tsunami is very short. Everyone should hurry to find a safe place and stay away from the shoreline. Kids should also be quick to follow the instructions. What is the importance of teaching them about tsunamis and how to educate them efficiently?

The Importance of Tsunami Education for Kids

Reducing the risk

The risk of a tsunami is very high. People, buildings, and infrastructure are swept away when the waves are very strong. Teaching kids about tsunamis can help them understand this disaster as something hazardous. Most importantly, adults should teach them the signs of a tsunami, to come right away, within a few minutes after an earthquake.

When the kids themselves are ready to avoid the danger of a tsunami, it is a big chance for adults to save themselves too. It helps the whole situation to have severe damage because of this disaster. Kids can be anxious during this critical situation, but it can be reduced when they know what to do and seek safety properly with the knowledge they have.

Higher resilience

Awareness is very important for people who are in a vulnerable category to be affected by a tsunami. The tsunami education for kids can create higher resilience among the communities. The resilience can be stronger because the engagement of awareness is broader when the kids have a better understanding of the tsunami disaster.

The government should have a big role in this. Inserting tsunami education in schools will empower the kids and have many kinds of benefits. In several regions in Aceh, Indonesia, where they used to experience a deadly tsunami in 2004, education is crucial to escalating the readiness and preparedness of everyone who lives on the coastline.

Reducing trauma

Trauma because of a hazardous event is common, especially for kids. Usually, they have less knowledge and confidence. Teaching them about tsunami education can help them gain confidence. They will have better coping mechanisms during this critical situation and post-tsunami. They can recover from trauma quickly with a better understanding.

Promoting safety

Schools and communities have crucial roles in raising awareness about community safety. The tsunami education for kids is a form of responsibility to create a safe environment during this critical situation. With this education, the students know how to react and seek safety around them. So, it is better to insert education into the curriculum.

How to Educate Kids about Tsunamis

Explaining about tsunamis and signs

The highest priority is to teach them about tsunamis with the easiest explanation. You have to begin with simple words, as a tsunami is a big wave that comes after a big earthquake or volcanic eruption. The wave is strong and destructive, so it may sweep everything away very quickly.

The signs of an upcoming tsunami are a big earthquake under the sea. After that, the ocean water recedes that people can see the seafloor very clearly. It is a big warning that a tsunami may come in a few minutes. Another sign is a roaring sound that comes from the ocean.

Using fun materials to teach

To get attention from the kids, it is better to teach them using fun materials. Engaging videos and books with interactive content will make them curious and have a good understanding of this topic. There are some recommended videos, such as What is a Tsunami, Tsunami Facts for Kids, and All About Tsunami. Click the links to watch!

Preparing an emergency kit

An emergency kit is very important to carry when everyone is seeking a safe shelter in a critical situation, including to avoid an upcoming tsunami. As parents or teachers, you can teach them how to prepare an emergency kit. They need to bring personal items, essentials, and teach them to remember emergency contacts.

Besides preparing the tsunami education for kids, the government also has the responsibility to create an integrated system to release warnings. Using an SMS broadcaster in the system is an important move because it can send messages to multiple users at the same time during an emergency. Find out about the device here.