Our hearts remain with Nashville, and everyone affected by the tragedy that took place at The Covenant School on March 28. As we speak with our children about acts of violence, it can be difficult, scary, and oftentimes uncertain to know where to start the conversation. KLRN has curated resources to help provide families with a starting place for those difficult conversations taking place about violence in the community. There have been far too many acts of gun violence, and we can apply here the wise words of John Lewis, "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something."
In this short video, a young boy explains his decision to make buttons to stop gun violence after his mother’s passing at the hands of a gun. The tragedy made him realize that for those who don’t like to speak with their words, they can wear buttons to share their stories. His father says his son is doing what he can to stop gun violence.
Including our children in the conversation is necessary and important. Please consider these questions, which are connected to the video above, and geared toward ages 6th grade and up:
- How does personal experience shape our political needs, desires, and opinions? In what ways is it easy to see an issue as something that doesn’t impact us if we haven’t been personally affected by it? In what ways does democracy demand that we care about issues that don’t just affect us as individuals?
- What is solidarity? How does the act of wearing a button show solidarity? What are some other ways to show solidarity?
- How are symbols used to show solidarity (e.g., the buttons)? How can we show our support and/or solidarity for an issue that has negatively impacted members of our community? In what ways can we show up for people who have experienced or lived in fear of gun violence?
- How is something like button-making a form of grassroots organizing? How is the young boy organizing at the level of his community? In what ways is this young man stepping into his power? What creative ways can you think of to step into your power to support members of your community?
Mr. Rogers shared this special quote:
"If you grew up with our Neighborhood, you may remember how we sometimes talked about difficult things. There were days ... even beautiful days ... that weren't happy. In fact, there were some that were really sad. Well, we've had a lot of days like that in our whole world. We've seen what some people do when they don't know anything else to do with their anger. I'm convinced that when we help our children find healthy ways of dealing with their feelings--ways that don't hurt them or anyone else--we're helping to make our world a safer, better place. I would like to tell you what I often told you when you were much younger: I like you just the way you are. And what's more, I'm so grateful to you for helping the children in your life to know that you'll do everything you can to keep them safe and to help them express their feelings in ways that will bring healing in many different neighborhoods."
For Educators of 2nd-5th grade and 6th-12th grade, we encourage you to visit the Start with Hello resource guides on PBS Learning Media: Start with Hello Educator Guide (Grades 2-5) | Sandy Hook Promise and Start With Hello: Educator Guide (Grades 6-12) | Sandy Hook Promise. Start With Hello asks students, educators, parents, and other community leaders who interact with children to take steps in class, the lunchroom and/or on the bus to be inclusive and connected. This easy-to-use guide is designed to assist adult educators in delivering the Start With Hello program. It includes classroom objectives, discussion questions, key messages, activities, extension options and additional resources. Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national, nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. SHP’s sole purpose is to educate and empower parents, schools and community organizations on how to prevent gun violence BEFORE it happens by providing mental health & wellness early-identification and intervention programs, gun safety storage practices and advocating for sensible state and federal violence prevention policy. For more information about Sandy Hook Promise and our other school and community-based prevention programs and training, please visit www.sandyhookpromise.org. Make the Promise and together we can protect children from preventable gun violence.
Caring for Each Other Bingo: PreK and K
A bilingual, weekly “Learn Along” Bingo card (one for PreK-K, one for Grades 1 & 2) will include a range of thematic learning opportunities for children to choose their own learning adventure. Printables require minimal supplies or adult facilitation. Weekly activities will be cross-curricular but emphasize Social-Emotional Learning, Math and Literacy development.
PBS Resources to Help Families Cope in Emergencies and Other Challenging Times
Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News
In times of community or world-wide crisis, it's easy to assume that young children don't know what's going on. But one thing's for sure -- children are very sensitive to how their parents feel.
Community Violence Sesame Street Resources
Troubling Times For children indirectly exposed to violence through media.
Families are the “helping hands” who can help children through difficult times.
Sesame Street Resources on Violence (Bilingual)
It’s hard to know how to help young children understand and cope with the effects of violence, but there are ways to help them feel safer and more secure… and build hope for a more peaceful, kinder future.
Many children have questions and can feel uneasy when emergencies occur in their communities. The Meet the Helpers toolkit is designed to introduce “helpers” and explain the role they play in emergency situations. Included in the toolkit are videos and hands-on activities that provide educators and families with developmentally appropriate resources for young children.
Watch the story of two students and their teacher who created a local movement encouraging not just kids but everyone to #BetheKindKid.
Start With Hello: Educator Guides | Sandy Hook Promise
Start With Hello asks students, educators, parents, and other community leaders who interact with children to take steps in class, the lunchroom and/or on the bus to be inclusive and connected. This easy-to-use guide is designed to assist adult educators in delivering the Start With Hello program. It includes classroom objectives, discussion questions, key messages, activities, extension options and additional resources.
More from a previous KLRN blogpost -Social Emotional Resources for Parents and Teachers
We hope these resources will be helpful as you have these conversations with your children or children in your care.
We are keeping the Nashville community in our thoughts.