After last week’s school shooting in Florida, many parents in Rogers Park and Edgewater are wondering how to talk to their children about tragedies.
Dr. Stevan Weine, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, shared this list of tips with ChicagoParent.com after the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
1. Listen. Children are observant. They hear things at school, on television and from adults. Let them ask questions and express their fears.
2. Let them direct the conversation. Provide only essential information, so children don’t feel overwhelmed. In other words, there’s no need to explain how the NRA funds Congress.
3. Reassure them that they’re safe. Remind little one that adults around them are there to keep them safe.
4. Keep a poker face. Children easily read nonverbal signals, so do your best to maintain your composure to create a calm environment. No tears in front of the kiddos.
