top of page

AGES 5 – 10

WHAT HAPPENED?

A School Shooting

School shootings have become an unfortunate reality in our society, often leaving our children to feel unsafe.  What Happened: A School Shooting provides a model for how to have discussions about school shootings with school aged children.

​

Designed to be read with your child, our books are written for kids age 5 - 10. If you have older kids, our resources provide guidance for how to talk with older kids too.

Resources

GUIDING PRICIPLES

  • Allow children ample time to talk about what they have heard or know.

  • State the facts without unnecessary detail and gently correct misinformation.

  • Ask how they feel and validate their emotions.  It is also okay to share yours.

  • Emphasize safety and review what you and others are doing to protect them.

  • Keep the line of communication open for future conversations, checking in often.

  • Know when to seek help.

SELF-REFLECTION FIRST

  • Identify and reflect on your own thoughts, feelings, concerns.

  • Make sure you have the time and mental space to have the conversation in that moment.

  • Model being open and honest with your emotions.

  • Model how you cope with difficult emotions.

  • Seek professional mental health support first if needed.

Does Age Matter?

Your child’s maturity level may be above or below their chronological age and you must tailor the conversation appropriately. Below are some tips for talking with children of different ages.

DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CONVERSATIONS

Early Elementary School

  • Keep information brief and simple without too much detail

  • Reassure often about safety measures both at home and school (be specific here)

  • Might need to help them name/identify thoughts or feelings they might be having

Late Elementary/ Middle School

  • Able to receive more detailed information

  • More nuanced information about safety measures

  • Use possibility versus probability (i.e. what is the possibility this could happen versus the low probability)

  • May still need help distinguishing from fantasy situations (which are typically more dramatized, unrealistic)

High School

  • Able to be even more realistic about circumstances

  • Discuss how one might channel feelings into action

  • Connect to social justice and policies

  • How social media might play a role in their thoughts, feelings, potential for misinformation

What Happened Books_WH Background.jpg

Stay in
the loop.

Enter your email address below to be the first to know about our new releases.

bottom of page