Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by violence across the globe. We’ve compiled these online resources for parents, teachers, and others working with young children about coping with violence and talking to young children about tragedies they learn about in the media.

Supporting Young Children after Crisis Events 

Helping Young Children Grieve and Understand Death 

How Early Childhood Educators Can Explain Death to Children 

Using Story Circles, Art, and Play to Support Children’s Responses to Stress and Trauma

Conversations that Matter: Talking with Children About Big World Issues

Inclusive and Nurturing Grief Support for Young Children and Families

Downloadable excerpts from the book, Trauma and Young Children: Teaching Strategies to Support and Empower

• Chapter 3: How Trauma Impacts Young Children’s Brains and Their Ability to Learn 
• Chapter 4: Guiding Principles for Teaching Children with Trauma 
• Chapter 8: Partnering with Families 
• Chapter 10: Caring for Yourself 

Fred Rogers: Look For the Helpers
Read timeless wisdom on what to keep in mind when talking to young children about a tragedy from Fred Rogers for parents, teachers, and caregivers.

American Psychological Association
As a parent, you may be struggling with how to talk with your children about a shooting rampage. It is important to remember that children look to their parents to make them feel safe.

The National Education Association - School crisis guide
The National Education Association (NEA) and the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN) developed this easy-to-use crisis guide with essential, to-the-point advice for schools and districts.

American Academy of Pediatrics - Talking with children
Resources to help parents talk to children about violence and disasters.

American Psychological Association - Helping children manage distress
As a parent, you may be struggling with how to talk with your children about a shooting rampage. It is important to remember that children look to their parents to make them feel safe.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Coping with violence and traumatic events
This web page includes information about the Disaster Distress Hotline, the nation's first hotline dedicated to providing disaster crisis counseling. It also includes articles for students, parents, teachers, and other caregivers, and for responders and health professionals.

Helping Children Cope with Tragedy-related Anxiety
Mental Health America offers tips for parents in helping preschool-age children, as well as grade school-age children and adolescents, with tragedy-related anxiety.

After the Crisis: Using Storybooks to Help Children Cope
Authors Cathy Grace and Elizabeth Shores offer literature-based activities to help children who have been through a trauma. With activities and exercises that can be used in conjunction with 50 children’s books, the discussion starters and writing and art activities inAfter the Crisis can be used by teachers to promote children’s ability to cope and heal.