De Coppele primary school in Oisterwijk will reopen on Thursday, after a 19-year-old man entered shortly before the start of the lesson on Tuesday morning. He said he was armed and threatened to blow up the school building with explosives. How do parents talk to children about such a traumatic event? “Be open and honest,” says child therapist Linda van Hal from Best, who has a practice for child therapy and family guidance.
Although most students were not yet at school, there were already children at the after-school care center when the suspect showed up. After his arrest, it turned out that the suspect had no weapons or explosives.
1. Open and honest
“It is important that parents tell their children what happened,” says Van Hal. She emphasizes that parents should be open and honest. “My advice to parents is to explain it briefly and concisely at the child’s level.”
2. Take your time
“Take your time so that the child gets the feeling that he can express himself in a certain emotion.”
3. Look for reaction
According to the child therapist, it is important that parents pay close attention to their child’s reaction. “Sometimes the child does not yet need a conversation. Then it is good to give him space and let him rest for a while.”
4. Offer space
It is then important to see what the child needs. “Whatever the child’s reaction is: as a parent, let them know that if your child wants to tell something or talk about feelings, they can come to you.”
5. Back to ‘normal’
According to the child therapist, the fact that the primary school is open again on Thursday can be nice for the children. “It is nice for children to quickly return to the rhythm they know after something intense. This provides stability and they are then in a familiar environment again. A special meeting after such an event can also help with processing. ”
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