Processing Traumatic Events in the News

The news can be frightening and overwhelming for all of us. For children, it can be particularly so. It is important to talk to kids about big events like natural disasters or terrorist attacks in an age-appropriate manner so that they know what is going on. Children are exposed to the news whether or not you talk to them about current events, so it's better that parents talk to kids rather than trying to protect them from traumatic events like terrorist acts or natural disasters by not talking to them about it. You can help calm their fears by answering their questions honestly.

Websites

Sesame Street "Caring for Each Other": Check out Sesame Street's initiative Caring for Each Other has videos, games, and articles to help parents and children through the COVID-19 health crisis. 

Best News Sources for Kids: This website includes a list of age-appropriate new sources for kids. Parents can use these kid-friendly new sources as a way to discuss the news and being a critical consumer with their child.

Podcast

Sesame Street's Grover on Coping during the Coronavirus - Just for Kids: In this 12-minute audio clip, Grover talks to kids about wearing about a mask, staying connected to friends, and staying busy during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Coronavirus

How to Talk to Your Kids about the Coronavirus: PBS provides some helpful tips on how to talk to young children about the coronavirus. 

Violence

Anxiety over School Shootings: With today's prevalence of school shootings, many families worry about the safety of their children at school. This article gives some tips on how to help parents and children cope with anxiety around school shootings.

When Hate Crimes Hit Close to Home: How to support your family in the aftermath of a hate crime.

How to Talk to Your Children After an Act of Terrorism: This article covers advice on how parents should talk to children in the aftermath of a hate crime or terrorist attack.

Natural Disasters and Other

Talking to Children About Tragedies and Other News Events: Information on how to talk to children about tragic events and natural disasters, by age and development. The article includes additional resources for families.

Books

Books to help children cope during the coronavirus pandemic: Although this list of book recommendations was created to help kids through the Coronavirus pandemic, the books on identifying and processing hard feelings, staying connected to loved ones while distanced, and finding comfort during hardship and uncertainty can apply to other mass tragedies and natural disasters. 

Dr. Amanda Heins gives tips on how you can help school-aged kids cope during the COVID-19 crisis.

 

Electronic Resources

Websites

Sesame Street "Caring for Each Other": Check out Sesame Street's initiative Caring for Each Other has videos, games, and articles to help parents and children through the COVID-19 health crisis. 

Best News Sources for Kids: This website includes a list of age-appropriate new sources for kids. Parents can use these kid-friendly new sources as a way to discuss the news and being a critical consumer with their child.

Podcast

Sesame Street's Grover on Coping during the Coronavirus - Just for Kids: In this 12-minute audio clip, Grover talks to kids about wearing about a mask, staying connected to friends, and staying busy during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Coronavirus

How to Talk to Your Kids about the Coronavirus: PBS provides some helpful tips on how to talk to young children about the coronavirus. 

Violence

Anxiety over School Shootings: With today's prevalence of school shootings, many families worry about the safety of their children at school. This article gives some tips on how to help parents and children cope with anxiety around school shootings.

When Hate Crimes Hit Close to Home: How to support your family in the aftermath of a hate crime.

How to Talk to Your Children After an Act of Terrorism: This article covers advice on how parents should talk to children in the aftermath of a hate crime or terrorist attack.

Natural Disasters and Other

Talking to Children About Tragedies and Other News Events: Information on how to talk to children about tragic events and natural disasters, by age and development. The article includes additional resources for families.

Books

Books to help children cope during the coronavirus pandemic: Although this list of book recommendations was created to help kids through the Coronavirus pandemic, the books on identifying and processing hard feelings, staying connected to loved ones while distanced, and finding comfort during hardship and uncertainty can apply to other mass tragedies and natural disasters. 

Dr. Amanda Heins gives tips on how you can help school-aged kids cope during the COVID-19 crisis.