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How to help children cope with news of violent tragedy

Wendy Gordon, PhDMaintaining a routine is important for children and adults after hearing about a traumatizing event such as a mass shooting, says psychologist Wendy Gordon, PhD, left, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Upstate. She advises parents to consider the developmental level of a child when deciding whether and how to talk with him or her about terrorist incidents or other disasters. Remaining as calm as possible can help too, says Gordon, because children look to their parents for reassurance.

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