Answer to Question 1
It is important to make sure to be truthful with children. On the other hand, don't offer more information than they need. The teacher will need to have practice drills for evacuation and shelter-in-place. Children will want to know what they are doing. Listen carefully to what they are asking. Give the best possible answer that deals only with what they are asking. Don't speculate, and be sure to tell them that preparing for unexpected events may lessen risk. Above all, remember that the main objective is to keep the children and staff safe.
Answer to Question 2
A planned response to violence should be talked about and agreed upon before violence occurs. A code word such as Ground Hog Day should be known to all teachers so that they could be put on the alert of danger without causing fear to the children. Quick action and an evacuation plan by teachers may save many lives. If you are a family home caregiver and all alone with no one to assist you, you should respond by calling 911 or the rescue number in the local area. Just as has been suggested to all Americans that we be vigilant in our awareness of our surroundings for terrorists, the same should hold true for an early childhood education environment situation.
The human forebrain.
Homunculus maps of human body parts along the cerebral cortex.
The human integration pyramid care model
Synaptogenesis and Pruning in the Human Cortex
Leonardo da Vinci, Study of Human Proportion: The Vitruvian Man.
Poor single parents and their children