Unspeakable Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School
Editor's note: See David Markus's latest blog, "One Week Later: Healing Sandy Hook."
Words fail. Our hearts are broken. Only deeds matter after tragedy takes away our children and the adults who teach and care for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
President Obama spoke to the nation about this morning's heartbreaking events.
Below are resources we've gathered that may help you and your children in this wrenching time.
How to Talk to Your Kids About School Violence (NBC)
NBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman spoke with Brian Williams about talking with your children regarding violence in schools. A brief overview of tips accompanies the video.
View Violence Through Your Child's Eyes (PBS Parents)
PBS Parents produced this package, which focuses on providing kids context for the news. Strategies for soothing and communicating with children following tragedies covered by the media are also included.
Explaining the News to Our Kids (Common Sense Media)
Tips, strategies, and impactful ways for parents to talk with their children about tragedies is covered in this article from Common Sense Media.
Here for Each Other: Helping Families After An Emergency -- PDF (Sesame Workshop)
This Sesame Workshop resource for parents and caregivers provides an outline for responding to tragedy, including communication tips and strategies for support.
Helping Teens Cope: A Guide for Parents (NYU Child Study Center)
New York University's Child Study Center produced this guide for parents, which provides advice for helping teens cope with school violence.
Resources: Talking and Teaching About the Shooting in Newtown, Connecticut (New York Times Learning Network)
A thorough list of links to New York Times content for teaching students about tragic events, as well as links to sources across the Web.
More Resources for Responding to Tragedy from Edutopia
More Resources From Around the Web
- How to Keep Schools Safe (Salon)
- Empower Students in the Face of School Violence (Kid Power)
- Helping Your Child Manage Distress (American Psychological Association)
- Helping Children Cope with School Violence -- PDF (Children's National Hospital)
- Best Resources on Talking with Children About Tragedies (Larry Ferlazzo)
- Coping with School Violence (PTA)
- Parenting in a Challenging World (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
- Parenting Resources for Traumatic Events (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)