How to talk to your kids about…

Big events in the news can be confusing and upsetting for kids — even when they don’t fully understand what’s happening. Children often pick up on tone, fear, and emotion long before they understand facts.  The goal isn’t to explain everything — it’s to help kids feel safe, heard, and supported.

First: Start with Your Child, Not the Headlines

Before explaining anything, pause and ask:

• “What have you heard or seen?”
• “How did that make you feel?”
• “Do you have any questions?”

This helps you avoid giving too much information — and lets your child guide the conversation.

Click here to download Age-Specific Guidance

Offer Hope and Agency
Especially for older kids, it helps to talk about:

• Helpers in the community
• Ways people support families and neighbors
• Small actions that reflect care and kindness

Hope doesn’t mean pretending things aren’t hard — it means reminding kids that love and goodness still exist.

Watch for Signs They’re Struggling
Kids don’t always say, “I’m anxious.”

Look for:

• Trouble sleeping
• Clinginess or regression
• Irritability or withdrawal
• More questions than usual

If you notice changes, gently check in and keep the conversation open.

The Bottom Line
You don’t need the perfect words.

What kids need most is:

• A calm presence
• Honest, age-appropriate answers
• Reassurance that they are not alone

Talking about hard things doesn’t create fear — silence does.
Your steady, loving voice helps kids build resilience for a complicated world.