Talking to our Young People about Tragedy

Tragedy, loss, and trauma have a tremendous impact on each of our lives. They can have an even greater impact on our children. Even if children do not voice their fears, they are impacted by the world around them, and the images they see on TV. Below are several resources that we hope will help parents, caregivers and teachers help the children and young people in their lives.

Comforting Reads for Difficult Times

A bibliography from the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, which also includes resources for adults who work with children.

American Academy of Pediatrics - Talking with children

Resources to help parents talk to children about violence and disasters.

Explaining the News to Our Kids

published by Common Sense Media

Helping children cope: Tips for talking about tragedy

published by the Mayo Clinic

Helping Children Cope with Tragedy-related Anxiety

This web page, from Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association), offers tips for parents in helping preschool-age children, as well as grade school-age children and adolescents, with tragedy-related anxiety.

How to talk to children about difficult news

published by the American Psychological Association

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Tips for talking to children about the shooting

Resources on talking to children about the recent shooting, information about the shooting's psychological impact, tips for parents on media coverage - includes tips specific for preschool-aged children.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) For Students And Teachers: Listen, Protect, Connect-Model & Teach

An in-depth newsletter discussing the "Listen, Protect Connect" evidence-informed model for providing psychological first aid, produced by the U.S. Department of Education-Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center

Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events

published by Healthychildren.org

Tips for Talking to Children and Youth after Traumatic Events

This printable PDF from the U.S. Department of health and Human Services offers concise tips for talking to children after traumatic events as well as resources for when more active intervention may be needed.