Three Strategies for Helping Kids

Monitor Their Media Use
Shield young children from news reports that might scare them whenever possible. Young children often think what they see on TV is happening in the here and now. Turn off your TVs and radios when your young children are in the room. If young children do see the news about the war, remind them it is only a picture on the TV. You might say, "This war is many many miles away. You are safe."

Try to avoid viewing repeated reports of the same event. Your child may think it's happening again. "After 9/11, children who saw multiple news reports often thought more buildings were falling down, again and again," reports Diane Levin, Ph.D.

Supervise older children's exposure to news reporting. "If your child is interested, you might let her see some of the news," says Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed.D., but warns parents about watching TV. "You don't know in advance what you'll see on the TV news. Reading the newspaper together might make it easier to talk about the events with some distance."

Work It Out Through Art and Play
Use art and play as conversation starters. Art and play allow children to work out what they've heard or seen about war and violence. Younger children don't necessarily make their picture look like what they say it is. Rather than correct them, ask them to tell you about the picture or to write a story, says Diane Levin, Ph.D., author of Teaching Young Children in Violent Times.

Engage Them in Conversation
Reassure kids they are safe. Ask questions to find out what they know, so you can see events through their eyes. Use art and games as conversation starters. Tell children only what they need to know. Be available. And let kids know you are here to help.