Supporting Students When Acts of
Terrorism are Reported: Tips for
Teachers and Parents
Intentional acts of violence
that hurt innocent people are frightening and upsetting. Children and youth
will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Families and
school personnel can help children cope first and foremost by establishing a
sense of safety and security. As information becomes available, adults can
continue to help children work through their emotions and, perhaps, even use
the process as a learning experience.
All Adults Should:
1. Model calm and control.
Children take their emotional cues from the significant adults in their lives.
Avoid appearing anxious or frightened.
2. Reassure children they
are safe and (if true) so are the important adults and other loved ones in
their lives. Depending on the situation, point out factors that help ensure
their immediate safety and that of their community.
3. Remind them trustworthy
people are in charge. Explain that emergency workers, police, firefighters,
doctors, and the government are helping people who are hurt and are working to
ensure that no further tragedies like this occur.
4. Let children know it is
okay to feel upset. Explain all feelings are okay when a tragedy like this
occurs. Let children talk about their feelings and help put them into
perspective. Even anger is okay, but children may need help and patience from
adults to assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
5. Tell children the truth.
Don’t try to pretend the event has not occurred or that it is not serious.
Children are smart. They will be more worried if they think you are too afraid
to tell them what is happening. At the same time it will be important to tell
children that while the threat of terrorism is real, the chances they will be
personally affected is low.
6. Stick to the facts.
Don’t embellish or speculate about what has happened, or where another attack
might occur. Don’t dwell on the scale or scope of the tragedy, particularly
with young children.
7. Be careful not to
stereotype people or countries that might be associated with the violence.
Children can easily generalize negative statements and develop prejudice. Talk
about tolerance and justice versus vengeance. Stop any bullying or
teasing immediately.
8. Keep your explanations
developmentally appropriate. Early elementary school children need
brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that the
daily structures of their lives will not change. Upper elementary school children will be more vocal in asking
questions about whether they truly are safe. They may need assistance
separating reality from fantasy. Upper elementary school and high school students
will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence and threats
to safety in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about
how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. They will be
more committed to doing something to help the victims and affected community. For
all children, encourage them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings. Be a
good listener!
9. Maintain
a “normal” routine. To the extent possible stick to normal classroom or
family routines but don’t be inflexible. Children may have a hard time
concentrating on schoolwork or falling asleep at night.
10. Monitor
or restrict exposure to scenes of the event as well as the aftermath. In
particular, monitor exposure to social media. For older children, caution
against accessing news coverage from only one source.
11. Observe
children’s emotional state. Depending on their age, children may not
express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep
patterns can also indicate a child’s level of grief, anxiety or discomfort.
Children will express their emotions differently. There is no right or wrong
way to feel or express fear or grief.
12. Be
aware of children at greater risk. Children who have a connection to this
particular event, have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer
from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at
greater risk for severe reactions than others. Be particularly observant for
those who may be at risk of suicide. Seek the help of a mental health
professional if you are at all concerned.
13. Provide
an outlet for students’ desire to help. Consider making get well cards or
sending letters to the families and survivors of the tragedy, or writing thank
you letters to doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals as well as
emergency rescue workers, firefighters and police.
14. Keep
lines of communication open between home and school. Schools are a good
place for children to experience a sense of normalcy. Being with their friends
and teachers is helpful. Schools should inform families about available
resources, such as talking points or counseling, and plans for information
sharing and discussions with students. Parents should let their child’s teacher
or school mental health professional know if they have concerns or feel their
child may need extra support.
15. Monitor
your own stress level. Don’t ignore your own feelings of anxiety, grief,
and anger. Talking to friends, family members, religious leaders, and mental
health counselors can help. It is okay to let your children know you are sad,
but that you believe things will get better. You will be better able to support
your children if you can express your own emotions in a productive manner. Get
appropriate sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
*Adapted from the National
Association of School Psychologists (NASP), 2015. www.nasponline.org
