Shootings and Violence
The following resources provide useful information and strategies for early childhood professionals and families in supporting young children and families in the wake of shootings and violent incidents.
On This Page
The White House
FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Responds to Immediate Needs of the Community in the Buffalo and Uvalde Attacks
The Biden-Harris Administration is using the full resources of the federal government to respond to the horrific massacres that took place at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, and at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. This face sheet summarizes some key federal social service programs and other supports that are part of that mobilization. Those specific to helping students include:
- Under the Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV), the Department of Education can provide grants to meet acute needs and restore the learning environment, for example by surging mental health supports to students and staff.
- The Department of Education's Office of Safe and Supportive Schools Readiness and Emergency Management for School (REMS) Center performs two critical functions: build the preparedness capacity (including prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts) of schools, school districts, IHEs, and their community partners at the local, state, and Federal levels; and serve as the primary source of information for schools, school districts, and IHEs for emergencies.
- The National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) offers information and technical assistance to states, districts, schools, IHEs, and communities focused on improving school climate and conditions for learning.
Resources for Early Childhood Personnel
Supporting Families: Young Children and Gun Violence (2022)
In light of the 2022 tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, ZERO TO THREE has provided these parenting resources to help parents and professionals meet the unique needs of infants and young children and address the effects of trauma in early childhood.
Children's Responses to Crises and Tragic Events
The National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness provides a tip sheet highlighting what families and early childhood personnel may see in a child's response to crisis. Additional resources about the topic are also embedded.
- Children's Responses to Crises and Tragic Events — English (2022)
- Respuestas de los Niños a Crisis y Eventos Trágicos — Spanish (2022)
Resources for Parents and Families
Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) offers age related reactions to a traumatic event useful for families and caregivers.
Helping Your Children Manage Stress in the Aftermath of a Shooting (2019)
The American Psychological Association (APA) provides tips on how to talk to children about a community shooting at a school or elsewhere. Parents and caregivers can refer to these tips for helping children manage their distress.
Talking to Children About Terrorist Attacks and School and Community Shootings in the News
This guide from the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (NCSCB) offers advice on how to talk to children about tragic events, such as shootings and terrorist attacks, that they are likely to hear about at school and/or on the news.
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (2016)
The National Association of School Psychologists offers tips for parents and teachers when talking to children about violence. This page offers printable tip sheets and companion infographics in both English and Spanish translation.
Tips for Parents for Talking to Kids about the School Shootings in Florida (2019)
The Child Witness to Violence Project via Boston Medical Center's Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics provides tips for talking to children about school shootings. This resource also provides a list of common questions from parents/caregivers regarding how children may understand and react to these tragic events.