TRI-CITIES, Wash.-Students returned to class at William Wiley Elementary School on Wednesday, April 24, following the shooting of a paraeducator on campus, with resources and support available from the Richland School District.
The national nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise, founded by families whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, offers several tips for how to talk to children after a shooting.
After a traumatic incident, such as a shooting it’s important to meet children where they are. Parents, teachers and caregivers should understand that everyone processes tragedy and grief differently, and that a child’s perspective may not be the same as yours, according to Sandy Hook Promise.
Listening to children after a shooting is very important. Learn what your child knows about the tragedy through conversation, letting their questions emerge naturally.
Be open, sensitive, calm and age-appropriate when responding to children after a tragedy. Allow your child to process at their own pace and let them know it’s alright to be angry, frustrated or scared.
According to Sandy Hook Promise, it’s also important to let the children in your life know that you and other trusted adults will be there in case of an emergency, however, it’s also natural for children to need space after a tragedy.
Following the lead of your child in regards to how they are doing is also important. Kids will often use body language to express when they are done with a topic or need a break, so be mindful when discussing critical issues after a tragedy.
A broad range of resources are available to help students and children through the experience of a shooting, including how to navigate the varied emotions through support, conversations and mental health check-ins.
Resources for victims and survivors of gun violence
Trauma Survivors NetworkDirectory of Crime Victim ServicesSurvivors EmpoweredSave the ChildrenSave the Children (Spanish Edition)Child Mind Institute: How to talk to kids about school shootingsChild Mind Institute: How to talk to kids about school shootings (Spanish edition)National Child Traumatic Stress Network
