Talking To Kids About Katrina

This weekend, a special edition of "Nick News" airs in response to the crisis caused by Hurricane Katrina. The show is called "Do Something! Caring For The Kids Of Katrina."

Whenever there has been a significant crisis in this country and, at times, outside of the United States during the past 14 years, "Nick News," hosted by award-winning journalist Linda Ellerbee, has explained to kids what was going on, listened to their feelings and discussed how they can help.

Ellerbee tells The Early Show co-anchor Rene Syler, "One of the things we're doing with our special is remind kids — who have not just been part of this hurricane, but watching all this coverage — that it's not just the story of a disaster; it's proof that wherever you find a terrible situation, you find good people trying to make it better."

Ellerbee went to schools, shelters, churches and the Astrodome, and says she found dislocated kids. In a segment from the special, one of the children is shown saying what he misses the most is his friends. Though sometimes it is hard to understand what is going on in the minds of children, she says the best thing to do is to let them talk about their fears.

"Encourage them to talk about their fears," she says. "In this case, you can explain to them this storm is over. It's done. New Orleans (because it's below sea level) was vulnerable to this kind of flooding."

She notes it is important to reassure children that they will not be alone and they are not powerless.

"If something happens, people will be there to help your child. They really will. Nobody is going to ignore children," she says. "I think that's so important, just as I think one of the things that's really good for kids around this country is to know they can help. That feeling of powerlessness takes over, too. We're partners of the campaign called 'We've Got Your Back.'"

The initiative encourages kids to send backpacks with school supplies, toys and more.

"All these tens of thousands of kids are starting in schools, most without school supplies," she says. "You fill a backpack with school supplies, maybe personal hygiene products. Put in a note. They don't just need school supplies, clothes, food and shelter. They need comfort. If a kid comes to your school from this hurricane, be a friend. Don't let them be lonely."

Ellerbee says it's all about kids helping kids.

"To extend a hand is to extend yourself," she says. "What we try to tell kids is that citizenship doesn't start at 18."

For more information, visit nicknews.com or dosomething.org.

Nickelodeon and CBSNews.com are owned by Viacom.