You are likely aware of yesterday’s devastating elementary school shooting in Texas. Our deepest condolences go out to the members of the entire Uvalde, Texas community. This horrific tragedy creates a heightened sense of fear in all of us and raises questions regarding community and school safety.

We do want to provide some resources to help support you in discussing the tragic events with your child(ren), if you choose. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has published a resource on Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers. Common Sense Media has suggestions on how to talk to children about school shootings in age appropriate ways that can help them feel safe again. The Orange County Department of Education has also published a straightforward guide entitled How to help children cope with tragic events. If you need additional support or feedback, please contact your school administrator, and a mental health professional will be made available.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has developed tools for managing your own distress following a mass shooting and recommends honesty with children – acknowledging that bad things do happen, but reassuring them that many people are working to keep them safe. The APA also urges adults to take care of themselves by reaching out for support from friends or a professional mental healthcare provider, allowing space for feelings of loss and grief, limiting media exposure, and finding ways to help the community. Parents can call the National Parent Helpline at 1-855-4A PARENT (1-855-427-2736) to get support from a trained Advocate. NPH staff are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m .

We hope these resources are helpful. Please reach out to us if you are in need of additional support. In the meantime, our hearts are with the families, students, staff, and community of Uvalde, Texas.

With the war transpiring between Russia and Ukraine, children are bound to be exposed to it in one way or another. Children understand more than adults would expect. For difficult to comprehend topics and situations such as war, children try to fill gaps in their understanding so they can comprehend what is going on in the world around them. Sometimes, children fill gaps with incorrect information in order for things to make sense to them. Once a child has developed their understanding of a situation, it is incredibly difficult (nearly impossible) for them to change their way of thinking.

As adults/parents, it is important to help them fill those gaps in their understanding with the correct information. It is important to provide them with understanding and the facts; not just what they see and hear in the news and on social media.

The articles below provide parents with guidance about discussing the topic of war with their students.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-violence-crime-and-war

https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-war-4147597