In fairness to the Globe & Mail: I think they found an "expert" with a contrary point of view just to provide some obligatory balance. Overall, the article was entirely fair and reasonable in terms of people making preparations.

I also think kids gain confidence from preparations, especially if they are included in some way. You can't really isolate children from reality; they figure it out. But you can help them deal with it. Think of the original Grimm's fairy tales (no Disney there).