How to talk about Uvalde shooting

The American Psychological Association advises adults to be honest with children by acknowledging that bad things happen but also reassuring them that many people are trying to keep them safe, The San Diego County Office of Education says on its website. The agency has compiled multiple resources for discussing the shooting in Uvalde with their students:

The National Association of School Psychologists recommends that educators make time to talk and listen to the concerns of children, try to create a sense of safety by returning to normal routines as soon as possible, and limit media consumption to lower stress.
The American Psychological Association encourages adults to seek support from friends or professionals, honor their own feelings by taking time for themselves, and find more ways to serve their communities.
Common Sense Media offers guidance on age-appropriate ways to talk to kids about school shootings and help them feel safe.
Very Well Family provides open-ended questions to discuss school shootings with children.

“Our students want and need to talk about what they see, remember, and are feeling now; they need the guidance and safety of adults in their lives to be able to navigate their own emotions and trauma in a healthy, safe, and productive way,” the San Diego County Office of Education says on its website. “Adults need to be able to acknowledge and address their own emotional responses in order to best support young people.”

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