"School shootings have risen sharply in recent years, according to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics. According to an analysis from CNN, there have been 44 school shootings this year. The Washington Post has collected data showing more than 400 school shootings since the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado in 1999. And every time a school shooting happens, like in Minneapolis on Wednesday, parents and teachers struggle to calm children's anxieties."
"Kids often ask who is to blame, what could have been done to prevent the tragedy or could it happen at my school? Truthful answers are important to build trust. And the unfortunate answer is that although school is typically a safe place, there are risks. "We can help kids learn to cope with the distress that they feel when they recognize inherent dangers that are part of the world," Schonfeld says."
School shootings in the United States have increased, with dozens occurring in a single year and hundreds since 1999. Parents and teachers frequently face the challenge of calming children's fears after each event. Start conversations by asking children what they have heard and listen carefully, because children's questions and concerns often differ from adults'. Provide truthful, age-appropriate answers to build trust, while acknowledging that schools are usually safe but not without risk. Help children learn coping strategies for distress. Tailor information to a child’s age, prior trauma exposure, and emotional connection to the incident.
Read at www.npr.org
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