To the Editor:
I have seven tips for teachers and parents about how to talk to kids about and help them deal with the aftermath of school shootings (“3 Students, 3 Staff Dead in Shooting at Private Elementary School in Nashville,” March 27, 2023):
- Monitor the news.
- Keep routines.
- Assure kids are safe.
- Control your emotions.
- Model good behavior.
- Offer age-appropriate advice.
- Look, listen, and speak with hope, honesty, and kindness.
Messages need to be community-specific and culturally sensitive. A consensus helps assure consistent safety messages reflected in the homes, schools, and community.
Stephen R. Sroka
Adjunct Assistant Professor
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University
Lakewood, Ohio
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