How do we explain the violence at the U.S. Capitol to children? This is what experts had to say

News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined this morning by two experts with some advice on how to talk to children about the violence at the U.S. Capitol.

News 12 Staff

Jan 7, 2021, 2:59 PM

Updated 1,376 days ago

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On Wednesday, violent protests delayed, but did not stop, Congress from certifying Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States.
At around 3:30 a.m. lawmakers affirmed the Electoral College victory of President-elect Biden.
Right now everything appears to be quiet in Washington, D.C. The Secret Service is ramping up security at the White House, Naval Observatory and Secret Service headquarters.
D.C. police say four people died in Wednesday's chaos, including a woman shot by police after rioters stormed the halls of Congress.
President Donald Trump's accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram remain suspended as a result of the violence.
News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined this morning by two experts with some advice on how to talk to children about the violence at the U.S. Capitol.
Dr. Alexandra Stratyner is a psychologist who helps teens and children. And Dr. Rose Borda is the Social Studies supervisor for the Hicksville Public Schools.
Children have had to deal with so much in the last few months, now seeing this unfold in the Capitol, how do we begin to explain to them what is going on? This is what Dr. Stratyner and Dr. Borda suggest:

Here are some tips for young children:

1. Limit children's exposure to the media;
2. Provide reassurance and make sure they know they're safe;
3. Talk about wrong actions over labeling people as bad (latter is confusing for younger kids);
4. Give them the space to ask questions.