As news of the Arizona shooting reached homes across America, many are left shaken in bewilderment. The suspect, Jared Loughner, is accused of killing 6 people, including nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green. He is also suspected of attempting to assassinate Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and injuring at least 12 others. Governor Jan Brewer, in her State of the State address, said, “Saturday’s events were not just an attack on those individuals we loved and lost, but an assault on our Constitutional Republic—on our democracy—on all we treasure and hold dear—as citizens and public servants.”
Just as the news has been difficult for adults, youth hearing of the tragedy struggle to understand and cope with the event. Children may misinterpret the news, overestimating the probability that something similar could happen to them. Experts say it is important for adults to talk to children about these events in order to clarify any confusion and to provide reassurance. At Mesa Verde Elementary School, where Christina Taylor Green (top left) attended, children gathered on the playground for a moment of silence. The principal wrote a letter to each class, explaining what had happened. Many students had questions and concerns about the event and wanted to share their memories of Christina. Across the nation, children hearing news of this event may have similar concerns and questions that should also be addressed. Click here for an article by PBS that offers an explanation of how children perceive news along with suggestions on how to reduce related stress.
Links to news stories about the tragedy in Tucson are below.
Tragedy in Tucson: A Nation Grieves
Obama: Christina Green ‘full of magic’
Tucson Tragedy: Back to School Without Classmate Christina-Taylor Green