Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) deeply mourns the tragic loss of life and wellbeing of so many individuals in Israel and Gaza in the occupied Palestinian territory. As violence intensifies and civilian casualties rise following Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel, our AzCA family recognizes the lasting impact on the victims, their families, survivors, local communities, and the international community.
At AzCA, we stand together in opposition to hatred and violence. There is no place in our society for the hatred, violence or terrorism Hamas has raged against Jews and Muslims. We value the diversity of our staff, children, youth, families, and communities, and remain committed to promoting inclusion and support of everyone. As an inclusive and accepting organization, we value each individual person, no matter our differences or cultural upbringings.
In any conflict, one of the most valuable roles AzCA can play is to help us process our grief, and to make space for discussion and community. We want to take a moment to let you know that we are here to support you, especially when tragedy strikes.
Sometimes it can be difficult to speak to children about violence, while also keeping ourselves regulated. We want to provide you with some resources for speaking with your families, and provide information on ways to help them feel safer and more secure… and build hope for a more peaceful, compassionate future.
To those who have lost loved ones, or who are worried about family and friends, you are in our thoughts. We hope that peace and stability prevail.
Resources to Help Children Address Violence & Tragedy
As a parent, you may be struggling with how to talk with your children about a community shooting at a school or elsewhere. It is important to remember that children look to their parents to make them feel safe. This is true no matter what ages your children are, be they toddlers, adolescents, or even young adults. The following resources provide information on how to talk to children about mass shootings:
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: This tip sheet describes ways to talk to children about mass violence events that involve shooting. It gives tips about how to start the conversation, common reactions children may have, and how to seek help if needed.
- Psychological First Aid for Schools (PFA-S) Field Operations Guide
- Sesame Street – Violence in Communities Video
- American Psychological Association
- National Association of School Psychologists – Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
- PBS: Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News
- Fred Rogers Institute: Talking with Children about Difficult Things in the News
- KQED: How to Talk With Kids after a Traumatic Event
Children’s Books: