About this episode

This episode discusses what children should know and be able to do during emergencies, emphasizing preparedness and confidence-building.

What should kids actually know how to do during an emergency? In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, Jason Perez and Pappy break down emergency preparedness for kids by age, using real-world case studies, child development science, and practical experience to show what children are truly capable of when they’ve been prepared calmly and intentionally. This isn’t about scaring kids — it’s about building familiarity, confidence, and capability. We cover: • What toddlers can realistically do in an emergency • How young children recognize danger and ask for help • Why pre-teens often outperform adults when they have clear procedures • How teens step into leadership roles during real emergencies • Why preparedness reduces panic — and fear-based messaging doesn’t work Throughout the episode, we share real-life examples of children who saved lives, evacuated safely, or made critical decisions during: • Medical emergencies • Fires • Natural disasters • Violent incidents These stories prove one core truth: Children are not liabilities in emergencies. Unprepared children are. ⸻ 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode • How cognitive development affects emergency response at different…

People in this episode

Host: Jason Perez

Guest: Pappy

Topics covered

• emergency preparedness
• children in crises
• cognitive development
• age-appropriate responsibilities
• real-life examples
• building confidence

Keywords

• emergency preparedness
• children
• crisis response
• cognitive development
• real-life examples
• confidence
• age-appropriate tasks

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Instinct Ready Inc.

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