Children are often very perceptive and may pick up on difficult events happening around them. It can be helpful to gently ask your children what they have heard or noticed about the tragedy that happened in Minneapolis last Wednesday, and to have an open, supportive conversation with them. Here are some suggestions to help guide that discussion:
Begin by making sure your child knows they are safe now.
Use calm, simple language: “You are safe here. The adults are working hard to keep everyone safe.”
Ask: “What have you heard?” or “What are you thinking about?”
This helps correct misinformation and ensures you respond to their concerns, not overwhelm them with details.
Young children (under 7): Short, clear sentences. Avoid graphic details.
School-age kids: Offer truthful, simple explanations; help them express feelings with words, art, or play.
Teens: Expect deeper questions and worries about fairness, justice, and safety. Encourage dialogue, not lectures.
Name and normalize emotions: “It’s okay to feel scared, angry, or confused. Lots of people feel this way after something scary happens.”
Repeated images and reports can increase anxiety. Watch news updates away from children when possible.
Point out how helpers (first responders, doctors, teachers, neighbors) stepped in.
Emphasize community resilience and what people are doing to stay safe.
Structure and predictability (meals, school, bedtime) help children feel secure.
Talking, drawing, journaling, music, or physical activity can help kids process emotions.
Children notice how adults respond. Show calm, healthy ways of managing stress (deep breathing, talking with friends, prayer, etc.).
Watch for signs like nightmares, regression (bedwetting, clinginess), withdrawal, or big changes in eating/sleep.
If these persist, encourage families to seek help from a pediatrician, school counselor, or therapist.
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