IRMO (WACH) – Americans celebrated the across the nation Sunday after learning Osama bin Laden was dead.
Under normal circumstances, death is not something people cheer about, but now it’s an image some Midlands parents have to explain to their children.
“You always have to be responsive,” says associate professor Kathleen Scharer of USC’s College of Nursing. “Simply tell the child this was a bad man, and so when he died people were happy.”
According to Scharer, an expert in child psychiatric nursing, kids between three- and five-years-old need only a minimal amount of information regarding the incidents surrounding bin Laden.
“By seven- and eight-years-old, there can be some more details to that,” Scharer adds. “He did bad things in the United States and our government wanted to bring him to trial, but he fought back and ended up dying in the process.”
If you haven't discussed with your children what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, now may be the right time. However, Scharer recommends limiting how much you share to avoid upsetting the child.
This week especially, parents are not the only ones having to answer questions. Dutch Fork High School teacher Kelly Payne turned the news into a teachable moment.
“It was a great chance to talk about what is patriotism? Why are we celebrating our freedom? At the same time bringing in the component that we need to be culturally sensitive,” Payne says.
She believes students learn through communicating. Payne adds this is a topic that will continue to be talked about at least in her classroom.
If your child appears to have no interest in the recent news, Scharer points out there is no reason to bring it up.
Although if the child seems to be interested in the media coverage and still hasn't asked any questions, she advises to bring up the topic yourself.
We want to know what you think. Are you planning to talk to your children about the killing of Osama bin Laden? Leave your thoughts in our comments section below.
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