Talking to Your Kids About School Shootings
The past week has brought the news of three school shootings, culminating in the tragedy in Pennsylvania. Our kids have so much access to current events now through television, radio, the Internet, and print that they often have to sort through awful stories on their own.

But sometimes the information they have isn\'t correct -- especially when it\'s conveyed virally. Like the old game of telephone, there can be distortion. Here are some common sense suggestions for talking to your kids about what they\'ve seen and heard.

 

Ask your kids what they know. With all the sources of information available, our children may have inaccurate information. Start by finding out what they\'ve heard and ask them where they got their information. If it\'s inaccurate, correct it.

 

Reassure your kids that they\'re safe. It\'s helpful to encourage children to talk about what upsets them or scares them. This will happen best if they know they\'re safe. But try not to dismiss their fears as unimportant. It helps to acknowledge their concerns while creating a calm perspective.

 

Give age-appropriate information. Elementary school-aged children don\'t need to see the news, hear it on the radio, or see pictures in the newspapers. Studies show that most kids still get their news from the family TV tuned to the local news program; keep the TV off when young kids are around.

 

Talk honestly about school violence to your older kids. Tell them what you think so they don\'t feel like their feelings are unique.

 

For more information, go to the National Mental Health Association.