Parents can make their children aware of 9/11 in a safe and sensitive way.
On September 11, 2001, four commercial passenger jets, hijacked by the terrorist group, Al-Qaeda, were used in a series of coordinated suicide attacks. Nearly 3,000 victims and 19 hijackers died on that day, which came to be known as 9/11. As difficult as it is to talk to children about such devastation and loss, they need to learn about this critical moment in American history. Here are some tips to do so in a sensitive manner.
Instructions
1. Frame 9/11 as a real-life event. Children may be too young to understand the actuality of the disaster, and it is important not to mislead them. Let them know that a tragedy did take place that day.
2. Focus on 9/11 as a story, with a plot and characters. Young people will better grasp the truth of 9/11 if it is presented as a narrative. Airplanes, skyscrapers, terrorists, Osama bin Laden, the Pentagon, and President Bush are terms and people that you may want to include in the story.
3. Highlight the resilience of New York City and the United States. Children understandably will be frightened by what they hear about 9/11. Underscoring the strength and character of the American people in the face of tragedy can offset their fears.
4. Teach children about community and tolerance as they learn about 9/11. Overall, the nation's citizens stood by their fellow citizens with Middle Eastern and Muslim backgrounds after the attacks.
5. Remind children of the country's values. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are American values the terrorists sought to undermine. Yet 10 years later, they still stand.
Tips Warnings
Use tact and discretion when pinpointing certain aspects of the 9/11 story.
