Parents, caregivers, and educators can all play an important role in helping children recover from exposure to tragic events in the news as well as traumatic experiences. Below is a compilation of resources for talking with children about tragic events in the news including war, violence, racism, and natural disasters.
Navigating these conversations isn't easy, but these resources can be helpful for both children and adults.
Conversations about Tragic Events
- The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Resources for Parents During News of Tragic Events - Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco
Coping with Traumatic Events - Association of Children's Museums
Museum Resources for Talking about Tragic Events with Children - PBS Kids
Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News - Sesame Street in Communities
It’s hard to know how to help young children understand and cope with the effects of violence, but there are ways to help them feel safer and more secure… and build hope for a more peaceful, kinder future. - A Mighty Girl booklists
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- National Association of School Psychologists
- National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
https://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org - National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
https://www.nctsn.org - Nickelodeon
Talking to Kids About Difficult Current Events - UNICEF
How to talk to your children about conflict and war
Talking with Children about Racial Injustice
- National Museum of African American History & Culture
Talking About Race - Embrace Race
- NPR Life Kit
Talking Race with Young Children - Race Conscious
A Resource for Talking about Race with Young Children - Common Sense Media
- Association of Children's Museums
Resources for Talking about Racism with Children - Center for Parent Information Resources
Talking about Race with Our Children - Minnesota Children's Museum
- Talking with kids about racial injustice: practical tips for parents from Minnesota Children's Museum
- Recorded webinar Spring 2021
- Tip sheet and resource lists
- Sesame Street in Communities
Racial Justice - More resources: https://www.nisenet.org/racialjustice
Coronavirus COVID-19 and Vaccines
- Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources
https://www.nisenet.org/coronavirus - COVID-19 Vaccine Museum Resources
https://www.nisenet.org/vaccine