Coping With Traumatic Events

The tragic shootings in three small communities in Alabama are a traumatic event being experienced personally by the children, families and communities affected. When individuals in a family experience a traumatic event, it affects all family members.

How children experience and respond to traumatic events differs by their age and level of development.

Preschool-aged and some younger school-aged children are not likely to understand what has happened. However, parents and caregivers need to be aware that young children do understand that something awful has happened. These children