Make Your Children Understand What Tsunami is

By Tabrani Yunis

Young children like Ananda Nayla and Aqila in this photo actually do not know what tsunami is. They do not know how bad was the impacts of tsunami disaster which hit Aceh in December 26,2004. They even do not understand the meaning of the word tsunami and they did not experience the tsunami, because they were born after the tsunami disaster. So, when we talk about tsunami with them, their minds can fly away and just asking us again what is tsunami. Therefore, since tsunami is a disaster which can threat us anytime, especially in the center of earthquake area which often shaken by the earthquake. Children need to know, the parents must tell and teach them how to escape from this disaster. The question is how do parents teach their young children about tsunami?

Since tsunami is coming unpredictable, and no one knows the it will happen again, parents can teach the children in various ways. For example, in this digital era, the video of tsunami in the Youtube can be watched anytime. So by watching the video, parents should guide and inform the children about how tsunami happens, when it happens, and how to escape from this disaster and where should we go before tsunami hit us. Other strategy is by taking children to tsunami museum, if available. In Aceh, there is a tsunami museum which can be used by the parents for teaching or incoming children about tsunami in various perspective. Parents can begin the explanation bases on the history of tsunami in Aceh, or it can be started from what they see in the museum.

As you see in the picture below, there is a helicopter which was damaged by tsunami in Aceh in December 26,2004. The helicopter could not be saved because tsunami came very fast and everybody was trying to escape, run away from the hit of the big waves which can kill all people in a short time. Just imagine, the helicopter was parked in front of the Police office, but the Police could not save it. Of course everybody should save his or herself.

Looking at the helicopter which was damaged by tsunami shows that it was tragic and sad. What made it sad because tsunami can change everything. No one was able to stop it. Therefore teach your children earlier and make them understand and are always aware with the natural phenomenon. Parents of course can read the explanation at the tsunami museum and the retell it to children.

It will be very useful and safe when all parents can take their roles to teach or inform their young children to be a ware with any phenomena of the tsunami by visiting tsunami museum, or other places which inform us about tsunami and it impacts and also how to avoid the possible disaster in the future. We may not forget the tsunami, because it is not for forgotten.