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 - 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
- When You Worry Too Much: 25 Books to Help Kids Overcome Anxiety, Worry, and Fear
- Something Bad Happened: A Kid's Guide to Coping With Events in the News
- What to Do When the News Scares You: A Kid's Guide to Understanding Current Events
- Understanding The Way I Feel: 50 Mighty Girl Books About Managing Emotions
- 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
Grief and Bereavement
- Association of Children's Museums Healing With Play resources
The project builds on the critical support children’s museums provide to individuals and communities dealing with loss and grief.- https://childrensmuseums.org/grief/about/
- Resources for museums https://childrensmuseums.org/grief/museumresources/
- Resources for children and families https://childrensmuseums.org/grief/familyresources/
Extreme Weather
- Climate Mental Health Network
- Children's book list https://www.climatementalhealth.net/books
- Parents & caregivers resources https://www.climatementalhealth.net/parents
- More resources https://www.climatementalhealth.net/resources
- CIRES Center for Education, Engagement and Evaluation
- Trauma-Informed Practices & Mental Health Strategies to Foster Hope and Resilience
https://ceee.colorado.edu/resource/trauma-informed-practices-mental-health-strategies-foster-hope-and-resilience - Climate Mental Health resources
https://ceee.colorado.edu/programs/climate-mental-health
- Trauma-Informed Practices & Mental Health Strategies to Foster Hope and Resilience
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 - 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