How to talk to children of all ages about the murder of the children in Southport with SCRIPTS of what to say.

How to talk to children of all ages about the murder of the children in Southport with scripts of what to say.

Discussing a tragedy like the murder of children can be incredibly difficult, especially when trying to communicate it to children of different ages. Your approach should vary based on your child’s age, emotional maturity, and understanding of the world.

Here’s a guide for parents, including sample scripts, to help navigate this sensitive topic.

General Guidelines for All Ages:

Be honest but age-appropriate: Give them information that is truthful but tailored to their level of understanding.

Reassure their safety:

Emphasise that they are safe and that such events are rare.

Be present and available:

Let them know they can ask questions or talk about their feelings anytime.

Use simple and clear language:

Avoid graphic details and stick to the basics.

Monitor their emotions:

Look for signs of distress and provide comfort as needed.

Limit exposure to media:

Protect them from repeated exposure to the news, which can be overwhelming.

For Toddlers (Ages 2-4):

Children this age may not understand the concept of death and are usually more focused on their immediate environment. You might not need to discuss the event unless they’ve been directly exposed to it. But they do pick up on your emotions.

Script Example:

• Child asks: “Why is everyone sad?”
• Parent answers: “Something very sad happened far away. Some people got hurt, and that makes people feel sad. But you are safe, and Mummy/Daddy is here to take care of you.”

For Young Children (Ages 5-7):

Children in this age group start to understand that death is permanent but may struggle with understanding why bad things happen.

Script Example:

• Child asks: “What happened to those children?”
• Parent answers: “Something very sad happened. Some children were hurt very badly by a person who made a terrible choice. It’s okay to feel sad or confused about it. The grown-ups are working hard to make sure everyone is safe.”

For Older Children (Ages 8-12):

These children have a more developed understanding of death and might hear about the event from peers or media. They may ask more detailed questions.

Script Example:

• Child asks: “Why would someone do that?”
• Parent answers: “It’s very hard to understand why someone would do something so terrible. Sometimes, people do bad things that hurt others, but it’s important to know that most people are kind and care about keeping others safe. It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or scared, and we can talk about those feelings whenever you need to.”

For Teenagers (Ages 13+):

Teens are capable of understanding complex issues, including the reasons behind violence. They might want to discuss the event in the context of larger social issues, and they may express strong emotions.

Script Example:

• Teen asks: “How could this happen? Are we safe?”
• Parent answers: “What happened is truly tragic and raises a lot of difficult questions about safety, mental health, and violence. It’s normal to feel worried or angry, and those are important feelings to talk about. It’s also important to focus on what we can do to stay safe and how we can help others. If you want to talk about this more or find ways to get involved, I’m here to support you.”

Additional Tips:

• Encourage expression: Encourage children to express their feelings through words, drawings, or other activities.
• Offer comfort: Physical comfort, like hugs or sitting close, can help children feel secure.
• Routine: Maintain regular routines to provide a sense of normalcy and stability.

Follow-up:

• Check in regularly: Children may need to revisit the conversation or ask new questions as they process the event.
• Seek professional help if needed: If a child shows signs of prolonged distress, consider consulting a child psychologist or counselor.

By approaching the conversation with care, honesty, and reassurance, parents can help their children navigate the difficult emotions surrounding such tragic, tragic events.