From the archive: What do you say to young kids when the news might be scary? Here are some tips from experts, including: 🔹 check in with them 🔹 give them facts and context 🔹 take positive action together 🔹 remember: 'look for the helpers'
"We can control the amount of information. We can control the amount of exposure," saysTruglio says that for starters, try not to let your children experience the news without you. That includes letting the TV or audio play in the background. In 2017, 42 percent of parents of young children told Common Sense Media thatAs a little girl growing up in rural Louisiana, Alison Aucoin remembers her father watching the evening news during the Vietnam War.
The idea, she says, is to allow kids to"ask questions about what they're seeing, how they're feeling and what do they think." In other words: Give kids a safe space to reflect and share.Check-ins also allow you to debunk memes, myths and misconceptions, and that's important in the social media maelstrom, says Holly Korbey, author ofa new book on civics education.
Some traumatic events, however, might be closer to home — a school shooting, for example. In that case, it's important to convey that, overall,When they ask why something happened, avoid labels like"bad guys." And according to Truglio, there's one important thing parents shouldn't be afraid to say: I don't know.
Truglio did this when she talked to her then-young son about the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. The shooting happened on a Friday, and she kept him away from the television all weekend. But after the Sept. 11 attacks, just two years later, media coverage changed, she says, focusing more on themes like"the country is strong. The country's coming together. We are united. We are going to get through this." And this made a difference for kids: Their drawings featured American flags and heroes like police officers or firefighters.Alison Aucoin, who shared her memories and fears of the Vietnam War, is white; her daughter, Edelawit, was adopted from Ethiopia.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FDA Warns Popular Asthma Medication For Kids Linked To Suicide And DepressionThe FDA says montelukast -- found in Singulair -- is linked to suicide and depression in kids.
Read more »
Jared Leto Says He 'Nearly Died' While Rock ClimbingThe singer posted a video of the scary rock climbing moment.
Read more »
Jared Leto Recalls How He 'Nearly Died' While Rock Climbing with Free Solo's Alex HonnoldThe Suicide Squad star shared a photo of his frayed climbing rope after the scary incident
Read more »
Reno mother killed husband, two kids in murder-suicide, police sayThe four bodies were discovered Wednesday after friends and family reported that the family had not been seen for days.
Read more »
Prince George & Princess Charlotte Have Taken Up New HobbiesLooks like Kate Middleton and Prince William's kids are expanding their horizons!
Read more »