Resources for Talking with Children About the Tragedy
 
These are general resources that can be used by parents, teachers, and other caregivers to help children through these difficult days.
The following websites have useful information:
The Parent Center:
www.parentcenter.com/general/34754.html
American Academy of Pediatrics:
www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/disastercomm.htm
American Psychological Association:
http://helping.apa.org/therapy/traumaticstress.html#children
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:
http://www.aacap.org/
National Association of School Psychologists
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/crisis_0911.html
Talking with Kids About the News
http://www.talkingwithkids.org/television/twk-news.html
Talking to Children about Violence
http://www.hec.ohio-state.edu/famlife/news/news4-21.htm
How to Talk to Your Children About the News
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/news.html
Violence and Crisis Resources
www.lutheran-schools.com
 
Some general advice from the experts includes:
	1.	Continuously reassure your children that you will help to keep them safe.
	2.	Turn off the TV. Overexposure to the media can be traumatizing. If your older children are watching the news, be sure to watch with them.
	3.	Be aware that your child's age will affect his or her response. Adolescents in particular may be hard hit by these kinds of events. Obtaining counseling for a child or adolescent soon after a disaster may reduce long-term effects.
	4.	Calmly express your emotions--remember that a composed demeanor will provide a greater sense of security for your child.
	5.	Give your children extra time and attention and plan to spend more time with your children in the following months.
	6.	Let your children ask questions, talk about what happened, and express their feelings.
	7.	Play with children who can't talk yet to help them work out their fears and respond to the atmosphere around them.
	8.	Keep regular schedules for activities such as eating, playing and going to bed to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.
	9.	Consider how you and your child can help. Children are better able to regain their sense of power and security if they feel they can help in some way.
John J. Scibilia, ELCA Director for Schools