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I covered 9/11 as a reporter when I worked for a cable news channel in New York. I remember thinking this is unfathomable, still to this day it seems surreal. If it's hard for adults to process 9/11, how can parents explain this tragedy to their kids?
I was livid when a relative told my son at age four about 9/11. Thankfully, he didn't fully comprehend it. Clearly it was too soon, but years later my child asked about it. A September 11th survivor had visited his second grade class that day and brought artifacts from the Twin Towers. "Mom their clothes were covered in ashes," he recounted in a state of disbelief. I told him so were my clothes that day, but I threw them away. He was in shock. "You were there?"
It was in that moment that I actually took the time to recount that day, and the year that followed in the trenches of what was the World Trade Center. My child who is usually bouncing off the walls sat still, listened, and asked questions.
A.B. Curtiss is an award winning children's author and psychotherapist. Her children's book The Little Chapel That Stood is a story about St. Paul's Chapel, a church which is located just 100 yards from the Twin Towers. When the towers fell September 11th 2001, the church which was built in 1776 stood firm. It even served as a service depot for rescue workers following the disaster.
St. Paul's Chapel is a symbol of America's strength, heritage, and what we stand for. It is the oldest surviving church building in Manhattan. Alexander Hamilton and George Washington were members of this little chapel. It is why Curtis chose to tell the story of the church to her young readers.
According to Curtiss, the ideal age to talk to kids about 9/11 is age seven. "They should know about it because this is the only way our culture will remember it. We must not forget that the USA as the last bastion of freedom in the world, has enemies that want to destroy us and our freedom," said Curtiss.
Ms. Curtiss advises parents and educators to focus on our resilience as a nation that day, rather than focus on the tragedy of events. "The fact that everyone immediately started working together instead of trying to just save their own lives. Even children waved flags to the fireman as they drove by," said Ms. Curtiss.
Tips On Talking to Kids About Terrorism From 9/11MEMORIAL.ORG
Listen to your children, don't force the discussion. Let them know you are ready for them when they are willing to talk.
Ask kids open-ended questions: What would you like to know? How does this make you feel?
Answer questions about death in a way that's age appropriate.
Reassure children that they are safe.
Answer questions about the facts of the event.
Be honest with kids and let them know that adults don't have all the answers.
Highlight stories of survivors and first responders to help humanize the event.
On our many trips to New York since September 11th, 2001, my family has seen the construction of One World Trade Center, and we had a chance last Fall to tour the new World Trade Center. It brought tears to my eyes as I recalled riding the escalator in the past to the top of the Twin Towers when I was an employee at Dean Witter, or going to a function at Windows on The World, and now seeing this new exhibit on the history of New York City and the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. It made me proud as an American, and I couldn't help thinking, "Wow they did it, they really did it." My husband was also very emotional experienced similar emotions. I watched our son run to the glass windows with panoramic views of the city with the same wonder I must of had as a toddler visiting the original Twin Towers with my mom in the seventies. We had come full circle.
Resilience, unity, gratitude, and reflection were what I learned on 9/11/01. It is what I teach to my child not just once a year, but every day. We live every day in honor of it's victims, and we must teach future generations to never forget.
For Lesson Plans on September 11th From The National Education Association Click Here
For More Information About The Author Click A.B. Curtiss, or visit: http://www.abcurtiss.com/
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