Last Updated - September 24, 2025
Prepare for the discussion – these conversations often happen without warning, but if you have time to prepare, wait until a moment when you feel calm and ready to talk about the topic. It’s best to pick a time and place to talk where you will not be interrupted and where your child feels safe and comfortable.
Talking with your child about what they know – open the discussion by asking your child what they know about the news event. This is a good opportunity to correct false information and provide context. Remember to use age-appropriate language. Check your child’s understanding throughout the conversation and allow them to ask questions. Often their knowledge is disjointed or incomplete.
Validate their feelings – encourage your child to talk about how the news makes them feel, but don’t force them to discuss it if they are not ready. It’s important your child knows it’s normal to feel upset and talking about feelings can help. It is often useful to discuss your own reactions, to show these feelings are common. Take this opportunity to demonstrate how you use healthy coping strategies to feel better, and provide suggestions that might help your child (eg. playing with friends, taking the dog for a walk or doing something creative).
Reassure your child – ultimately, it’s important that you help your child feel safe and loved. For example, you might provide reassurance that these events are rare and that the situation is being handled by experts who can help. Remind your child about good news stories to shift the balance of negative media coverage and redirect their focus.
Keep the conversation open – let your child know that they can come to you at any time with additional questions or to talk about how they are feeling later.
