CHILDREN'S bereavement charity Winston’s Wish have published advice to parents about how to speak to children who are affected by the media coverage of the Manchester attack and other similar incidents.

They have compiled their advice by drawing on experiences of supporting children, young people and families bereaved through all causes, including through murder or manslaughter.

They have eight things to remember.

  • Talk to children using words they understand; give information to younger children a bit at a time
  • Try and encourage children to ask questions
  • Answer questions honestly and simply; talking about it won’t make it worse
  • Accept that some things can’t be ‘made better’
  • Show willingness to talk about difficult things and use this as an opportunity to reassure them
  • If children are asking questions, it is a good thing, it shows they trust you and it is better than keeping questions and worries to themselves
  • Remember that ‘super parents’ or ‘super teachers’ don’t exist. Just do and say what you can
  • Don’t be afraid to show children how you are feeling

For more information from Winston's Wish about how to speak to your children about the events, click here.

There is advice for teachers who need to talk to their students about terror attacks.

ConnectFutures has six tips for how to address these kinds of situations in schools.

For the tips click here.