Helping Children Deal with Tragedy

Reposted from my classroom blog:

http://missstephaniesclass.blogspot.com/2012/12/helping-children-deal-with-tragedy.html

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In light of the events of Friday, please visit Miss Erin's blog here 

http://misserinsclass.blogspot.com/2012/12/helping-children-cope-with-tragedy.htmlto check out some links that can help parents talk to young children when tragedy hits.

There are some other links here: http://www.naeyc.org/content/coping-school-shooting

This article gives some specific examples of what you can say to children when they ask about what happened or why the adults are sad:http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/family/2012/12/elementary_school_shooting_how_to_talk_to_your_kids_about_the_connecticut.html

One of the most important things is to limit what young children see on the TV. It is hard for young children to understand what they see and hear and we don't know how they rationalize it in their heads. 

Also, though we want to share information with kids, make sure what you share is developmentally appropriate. Your children of different ages may need to be told different things. You may want to warn older siblings to watch what they say to younger siblings. 

My thoughts and prayers are with all those touched by Friday's tragedy. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you and your families.