In the wake of the recent school shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, experts emphasize the importance of how adults communicate with children about such traumatic events. Stephen Sroka, president of Health Education Consultants and an adjunct assistant professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, shared guidance based on his four decades of experience addressing school violence.

Sroka advises that adults should first manage their own emotional responses to provide a stable and reassuring presence for children. Maintaining regular routines and assuring students that their environment is safe can help restore a sense of normalcy. He stresses the importance of listening to children’s thoughts and feelings, responding with honesty, hope, and kindness tailored to their developmental level.

In addition to verbal support, Sroka suggests that, where appropriate, adults might join children in praying for the victims as a means of fostering empathy and healing. He highlights that even those not physically injured in a school shooting, including educators, parents, and students, experience emotional wounds. The way adults respond can equip children with strategies to cope with difficult situations in the future.

The guidance comes amid growing concern nationwide over school shootings and their psychological impact on young people. Experts advocate open, compassionate dialogue as a critical tool for helping children process trauma and feel secure after such incidents.