How can parents, caregivers and educators talk with children about racial turmoil and recent news events around the country? Several Mayo Clinic experts say the best approach is proactive and direct.
"I would recommend asking questions to see what your children have picked up, what they understand about the issues, how they're feeling about it and find out what 'holes' they might have in their knowledge," psychologist Jocelyn Lebow says. "This will help you frame your response -- and their level of understanding might surprise you.
"I also would be careful about talking around the issue. Naming things and speaking directly about what's going on, in an age-appropriate way, is going to be more beneficial than hedging or avoiding. It can help to have a conversation about how they might confront or respond to related situations in their everyday life, such as racism, bullying or violence, in a way that's consistent with the person they want to be."
Dr. Amit Sood, director of research in the Mayo Clinic Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program, says, "Help them understand that most people are good, and emphasize it's a few misguided people who can spoil things."
Lebow says you know what your child can handle, and it's healthy for them to see you responding as a human to tragedy. For example, she says let your child know that, "seeing people say cruel and hateful things makes me feel really sad" can help normalize emotional responses he or she might be having.
"It probably makes sense to leave in-depth discussions about what 'white supremacy' means and where the movement originated, for children who are developmentally ready for that content, but at the same time, I think it's important to resist the urge to whitewash your explanations and answers when kids are asking tough questions," Lebow says.
She adds that providing context about the "alt-right" movement and where it originates can be an important piece to help older children understand the issue.
Psychiatrist Dr. Sheila Jowsey-Gregoire says parents and teachers can serve as resilient role models for children, but parents need to keep an eye on children for signs of being stressed, such as sleep disturbance, problems in school or appetite changes.
Also, Jowsey-Gregoire says, it is good to "help the child see that there is more to consider beyond what is showing up in the news feeds" on television and the internet.
"Optimism, helping others, turning to your support network, reinforcing your values through organizations or faith communities are all resilient ways of coping with stressful times."
Family on 08/23/2017