In the wake of yet another mass shooting that took place yesterday in Nashville, the AzCA family is pained by the loss of lives and the impact on the victims’ families, survivors, local community, and nation as a whole. We want to take a moment to let you know that we are here to support you, especially when tragedy strikes. Sometimes it is difficult to speak to children about community violence, while also keeping ourselves regulated. We want to provide you some resources for speaking with your families about this tragic event, and provide information on ways to help them feel safer and more secure… and build hope for a more peaceful, kinder future.
Resources to Help Children Address Violence & Tragedy
As a parent, you may be struggling with how to talk with your children about a community shooting at a school or elsewhere. It is important to remember that children look to their parents to make them feel safe. This is true no matter what ages your children are, be they toddlers, adolescents, or even young adults. The following resources provide information on how to talk to children about mass shootings:
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: This tip sheet describes ways to talk to children about mass violence events that involve shooting. It gives tips about how to start the conversation, common reactions children may have, and how to seek help if needed.
- Psychological First Aid for Schools (PFA-S) Field Operations Guide
- Sesame Street – Violence in Communities Video
- American Psychological Association
- National Association of School Psychologists – Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
- PBS: Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News
- Fred Rogers Institute: Talking with Children about Difficult Things in the News
- KQED: How to Talk With Kids after a Traumatic Event
Children’s Books: