How to Talk to Kids About Connecticut Shootings
Fairfax schools officials direct parents to resources, remind them to sign up for emergency notifications.
As news unfolded Friday from the scene of an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Fairfax County Public Schools officials were directing parents to resources that would help them start conversations in their own homes.
In a post on the schools' homepage Friday, officials posted links to the system's emergency resources and also offered some guidance on how to handle details of the scene at Sandy Hook Elementary School while talking with children.
Parents of children of all ages should "try to watch television with your kids (especially during the news), listen for their questions, and answer them honestly," a PDF posted by the school system reads.
It continues:
Tragedies affect everyone, both children and adults. Children need to talk about their fears, frustration and disbelief. It is important that we are watchful for these emotions and encourage open discussions. Children may be worried:
- that the event could happen to themselves or a loved one.
- that they could be separated from someone they love or be left alone.
- about their safety or that of their loved ones.
How much information parents share, and children can process, will vary. "Depending on their age and level of maturity, children will perceive things differently than adults."
It recommends keeping things simple and leaving out gory details with younger children (those under nine years old). Older children will be able to handle more information, it says, but gauge your own child's comfort level when you're choosing to share specifics.
"Be supportive and reassuring during your discussion," the system writes.
For the full tip sheet, click here.
The system also steered parents toward its emergency preparedness and support page, as well as a list of security measures in place at Fairfax schools.
FCPS reminded parents of its own emergency alert system, FCPS Keep In Touch, in which parents can subscribe to emergency messages by email.
Other places to check for more information in the event of an emergency at a Fairfax County school:
- School system public web home page.
- Cable Channel 21.
- Local media.
- The system's pages on Facebook or Twitter.
How are you discussing the shootings in Connecticut with your family? Leave suggestions in the comments.
Bon
12:55 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012
We're not discussing it with our four very small children and it would be crazy to suggest watching the news with kids right now under the age of 12 on this shooting. Having the Fairfax public schools force this upon small children is wrong headed and irresponsible
Carol Lewis
10:00 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I don't see anything that suggests FCPS is forcing this on small children, just offering resources for parents. Seems helpful to me.
Manny
1:25 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012
Agree with Bon
Kim
3:38 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012
While I would not recommend watching the news with young children, I hope you will discuss the events with your school-age children. They will hear about it from others at school and on the bus whether you like it or not, and it is better that they hear it from you first.
The Analyst
7:01 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
The news coverage of this topic, at least CNN's is disgusting. Psychotic minds don't think like other minds, and what the rest of us see as horrific they may well be seeing as a way to validate their own problems with society. The non-stop coverage of this will only feed those psychotic minds with what they see as a good reason to proceed with their bizarre and inexplicable plans.
Didn't the Taliban/Al Queda, a few years ago, slaughter all the kids in a school in Afghanistan? It was just a passing story. What about all the soldiers being killed overseas? Yet another passing, and insignificant story.
No, lets focus on a local killer, and present inconsistent and inaccurate news reports in "real time." That, my friends, is where the money is.
Carol Lewis
9:58 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The Analyst, we focus on a local killer because he's our responsibility and those were our kids. Bringing up other murders and soldiers is just a way of deflecting the discussion.
Mary S.
7:49 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
What the h are you talking about? Everyone has been covering this and all you need to do is turn it off. Guns and mental illness don't mix. Yes, money is the problem...money on the sale of guns and not enough on taking care of those with mental illness.
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