With kids back to school today, many parents are wondering, and concerned, about how to help their kids process the horrific news of last week’s Virginia Tech shootings. Today on NECN’s Family Health Segment I talked to Karen Myer about this important topic. Click the video link to watch the segment:
How to talk to children about disturbing news events
A child’s age dictates not only the type of reaction intense news and media images may provoke but the level of detail you should provide to your child. Here are some resources put together by the American Academy of Pediatrics to give you more information:
Talking To Kids After A Disaster
Reactions Of Kids To A Disaster
Talking To Teens
Talking To Young Adults
What about the video and images readily available in the news and online? I’d encourage you to heed the advice of experts and shield your family from the horrific images and video circulating on air last week. That is unhealthy for all of us.
In addition to expert input, the blogsphere has produced some very thoughful essays about last week’s tragedy. I’d encourage you to read Dr. A’s posts – he not only hits theh nail on the head but captures the chaos we have all been feeling – the very chaos we need to shield from our kids. Our kids don’t need the burden of our adult fears or concerns.
Finally, if you are concerned about how your kids are handling the news of the Virginia Tech shootings, talk to your pediatrician and school guidance department for help.
Tune in on Monday May 14, 2007 at 7:45am for the next NECN Family Health Segment With Dr. Gwenn.
Thanks so much for mentioning my blog. I really appreciate it!
Hey Dr. G.,
seemed like, after 9/11, you could not turn on a tv or open a paper without seeing the planes hitting the towers.
I had a first-grader and a toddler. My little boy, who was only two, kept knocking over towers of his wooden blocks, renacting the television footage.
Anyhow, what helped my family was this very good book:
“Mommy, I’m scared: how TV and movies frighten children and what we can do to protect them” by Joanne Cantor. More info at:
http://www.joannecantor.com/mommy.htm
My son is now eight, he pretends to be fearless. But just this year, he was absolutely terrified by the “Over the Hedge”. A much younger kid who attended with him was unfazed. It is pretty individual.
Relentless television coverage, like 9/11 and Virginia Tech are really hard to shield kids from, even if you don’t allow much TV viewing.
anyhow, Dr. Cantor has good advice!
TL
Hey Dr. A:
My pleasure! Thanks for swinging by mine as well.
TL:
I’m with you all the way. My 9 year old is particularly impressionable and we’re really careful about having any news one. My 12 year old can handle more – but she’s also in middle school. That said, it’s one thing to talk about a story and another to see it – that’s the burden our kids don’t need.
I’m going to check out Dr. Cantor’s book – sounds interesting. Thanks for the tip.
Dr. G
I am going to check out that book as well.
I shielded my sons from a lot of that stuff. I must’ve gotten a little lax with my 2nd one though as I remember Jonathan as a teenager come into the family room and removing Christopher and reminded “me” that he should be around whatever was on. That said, he does not seem to take any of those precautions now with his little daughter. She told me about a scary movie that Daddy had on. I know sometimes she does sneak back downstairs after she has gone too bed, but then I know he has played some violent war games when she has been around.
So, I will read the book and then pass it on to him. He is an avid reader and hopefully he will take it to heart.
I have found discussions with kids (following their lead) helps to give them a perspective – but that tv image does unfortunately get locked in their mind. I also, always encouraged faith in God and all the positive things that come from that to help build inner strength and character because I know that I can’t always be there in the tough times that they will inevitably go through, but God is always with them.
Also, as I see them stray from their faith sometimes (haven’t we all?)- I am trusting in the scripture (I think in Proverbs) that says “teach them the way that they should go and when they are old, they won’t depart from it.”