Psychologist shares how to talk to your child about Texas school shooting – CBS Miami
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Many dad and mom are scuffling with how to talk to their kids about the Texas school shooting.
Parents are sometimes afraid to deliver up these subjects as a result of they don’t need to fear their children, however psychologists say avoiding the dialog could make the state of affairs even scarier for kids.
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“We want kids to learn about big traumatic things from a trusted adult. If they learn about it from other kids on the playground, homeroom or overhearing it on the radio, in a store, then they are going to hear potentially more sensational bits. They are not going to have accurate information,” says Dr. Jamie Howard, a senior medical psychologist with the Child Mind Institute.
Dr. Howard says these conversations can begin with kids round school age.
“An opener is, ‘You know, I’m feeling really sad about a news story that I saw and I wonder if you have heard about it.’ You don’t want to jump in with a lengthy detailed explanation because it might be more than they need and more then they want.”
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Dr. Howard says dad and mom can remind children that statistically this violence continues to be not possible to occur at their school and so they can talk about what security measures are in place.
“They practice stay put drills in their school where the doors are locked and they stay quiet. And I don’t even think my daughter knew what they were for. So, they weren’t so scary to her, but now she has a better understanding that they are to help keep her safe,” she says.
Dr. Howard additionally says it’s okay for folks to look unhappy or offended, however dad and mom needs to be aware of their feelings as a result of large feelings from a dad or mum also can scare kids.
Parents also needs to maintain an in depth eye on modifications to their child’s feelings, habits, urge for food or sleep which may be indicators a child is feeling anxious The National Association of School Psychologists says doing issues that you just take pleasure in, sticking to your routine, and being with family and friends can assist make us really feel higher and maintain us from worrying about the occasion.
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For further suggestions for folks and academics speaking to kids about violence, click here.
