Resources for Educators and Parents Guiding Children Through Traumatic Events

In times of crisis and uncertainty, children often look to adults for guidance and reassurance. Whether discussing a traumatic event that is local (such as a death in the community), regional (such as a natural disaster), or global (such as a school shooting in the news), it is essential for parents and educators to approach these conversations with sensitivity, honesty, and age-appropriate language. Below, we provide resources and advice to help you navigate these discussions effectively while supporting children’s emotional well-being.

How Adults Can Help Children Cope

Children may react to trauma in various ways, including fear, anxiety, sadness, or confusion. Adults play a crucial role in helping children feel safe and supported, including by:

• Providing honest but reassuring information tailored to children’s age and emotional development
• Encouraging children to express their feelings through conversation, art, or play
• Modeling calm and control, as children often take emotional cues from adults

For further guidance on these strategies, explore the following resources:

• This list of resources assembled by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) links to information for educators, parents, and caregivers from many highly-regarded organizations.
• The Harvard Graduate School of Education covers strategies and resources for helping children through traumatic events—including the importance of modeling and self-calming techniques.
• PBS Parents has two insightful articles on the topic: “Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News” and “Helping Kids Navigate Scary News Stories.”
• Fred Rogers, from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, offers valuable suggestions in his guide, “Helping Children with Tragic Events.”

Age-Appropriate Conversations

Children process traumatic events differently based on their age. The following resources offer tailored strategies for various age groups:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a helpful tip sheet on talking to children after traumatic events.
• The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) shares advice for families and educators on discussing violence.
• The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) outlines key points on talking to children about mass shootings.
• The New York Times offers practical advice on how to talk to kids about school shootings.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides a comprehensive guide on talking to children about disasters.

You can also use these Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting plans to create developmentally appropriate opportunities for students to share how they are feeling:

• Morning Meeting plan for grades K–2
• Morning Meeting plan for grades 3–6
• Responsive Advisory Meeting plan for grades 6-8

Getting Back to Normal

For many children, the most helpful thing educators and parents can do in challenging times is to maintain (or restore) a sense of normalcy. To achieve this, educators, parents, and other caregivers can:

• Maintain regular school and home routines to provide stability
• Offer opportunities for play and creativity, which can be therapeutic
• Encourage children to engage in age-appropriate activities that promote resilience and problem-solving
• Seek additional professional support if a child is experiencing prolonged distress

Recovery Advice for Affected Communities

This booklet from the Department of Education includes advice for teachers, students, administrators, counselors, parents, and coaches in schools that have been directly affected by natural disasters and other traumatic events.

Moving Forward as a Community

We hope the resources above help you hold open, compassionate, age-appropriate conversations that validate children’s emotions and make them feel safe, heard, and supported during challenging times. Together, we can create supportive learning environments where children can grow and thrive, even in the face of adversity.