Describes how teachers can equip students to deal with disaster, focusing on coping with earthquakes. The article suggests watching for symptoms, encouraging expression, providing concrete information, helping soothe parents, developing emergency plans, holding emergency drills, and developing a communication strategy. Tips for before and after…

Psychologists and educators recommend classroom strategies for helping children cope with their fears. Teachers can: (1) provide a sense of security; (2) ask children for their advice in problem areas; (3) use desensitization techniques; and (4) take advantage of dramatizations, readings, and art to help children express and conquer fears. (PP)

When early adolescents equate body image with self-image, they risk eating and exercise disorders, with dangerous results. Interviews with two experts present information to help middle school teachers understand the problem and intervene with students whose preoccupation with appearance or prowess can, taken to the extreme, be fatal. (SM)