Talking with young people about bushfires
Young people need support when they are faced with bushfires and injured wildlife.
Even if young people are not living in immediate danger of fire, they may still have concerns, questions, worries and fears about what is happening around them.
Here are a range of resources that support parents, families and teachers:
- Unicef – How to talk to your children about Australia’s bushfire emergency
How to help young people understand bushfires and navigate anxiety, stress or sadness - headspace - Supporting your child after a natural disaster
How to support young people who have been in, experienced or witnessed the effects of the bushfires - Better Health – Talking to children about bushfire risk
How to talk with young people who are concerned about their own safety and bushfire risk - Australian Red Cross – Resources for parents and teachers
How to care for young people who have been directly impacted by bushfires. The ‘Recover’ section of the website includes lesson plans, a book, podcast and help sheets - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) – Bushfire education
How to teach children in the Early Years (0-5 years old) about preparing for, responding to and recovering from bushfires
How you can help
Zoos Victoria has set up a dedicated Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund for tax-deductible donations.
Every donation will support:
- Emergency veterinary care
- Scientific intervention (such as exploring supplementary feeding for the animals who have survived, but whose habitats have been destroyed by the bushfires)
As a not-for-profit organisation, all money raised will be used in consultation with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to ensure it is most effectively assisting injured wildlife and their habitat.