Parents need sensitivity, information when explaining 9/11 to kids

Parents need sensitivity, information when explaining 9/11 to kids


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SALT LAKE CITY -- The images from 9/11 will be replayed a lot this week, and it may be too much for some children. But others have little idea what really happened.

Nickelodeon's Nick News interviewed several kids about what they thought. Their responses were telling.

  1. "I heard that 500 planes disappeared in the air."
  2. "I heard that they may have smuggled bombs onto the planes."
  3. "I think the terrorists are from Japan."
  4. "They could have been Hindu."
  5. "I'm pretty sure Saddam Hussein ordered this." Nick News put together a report explaining to kids about the terror attacks that also tries to mix in perspective and hope. "While thousands died that day, many more thousands did not," says host Linda Ellerbee, as images are shown from ground zero. "Again and again, you saw strangers helping one another so they could get to safety, and eventually, home," she said. Children may have questions, or may have heard incorrect information "The majority of Muslims in the world condemn violence, and condemn what bin Laden did," explains a Homeland Security expert in the video. Experts say you can clear up misperceptions, while reassuring kids of their safety at an age-appropriate level. Parents may want to be careful how much their children are watching this week. Child psychologists say children need to know what happened that day, but watch for over-exposure to all the frightening images. Some children may need reassurance of their safety. Others may have heard things from their friends or parents that are not true. Those misperceptions can be gently corrected. The experts say take your child's age and developmental level into account. -- Email: [mrichards@ksl.com](<mailto: mrichards@ksl.com>)

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