NASHVILLE, Tenn.  When children ask "why" as a result of a traumatic life event, Ann Miller believes they should be given appropriate and honest answers.
Miller, director of pastoral care at Cook Children's Medical Center in Forth Worth, Texas, discussed the topic, "Hold My Hand: Spiritually Helping After Violence & Trauma," in a series of workshops during the National Preschool and Children's Convention Oct. 13-16.
According to Baptist Press, Miller identified trust as the principal factor needed in helping children cope with trauma.
Trust allows a child to develop courage, hope and love, which can ultimately lead to healing after a high-level trauma or injury, she said.
"There are some things that we'll never understand this side of heaven," she said, "but one of the things we have to do with children dealing with tragedy is answer any questions that we can and let them know they can trust us."
Drawing from Judith Herman's book "Trauma and Recovery," Miller stressed three keys to helping a child recover from trauma: establishing safety, allowing remembrance and mourning, and then developing reconnection.
"Often children are seen as ‘non-persons' in tragedy," she said.
About 700 preschool and children's workers attended the conference, which was sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
