Testing the Social Context

When the media and the politicians talk about nothing but revenge and violence, the President says he will get Osama Bin Laden dead or alive, and people rush out to buy guns (Baker, 2001), the social context that you had previously established is put to the test. Children see adults using violence and power to solve problems, and they hear intolerance and hatred everywhere.

In this situation it’s important to continue to model and teach peaceful problem solving. Tell the children that it’s normal to feel angry, but it’s not all right to hurt others. Instead of solving problems, striking back leads to more anger and violence. Diane E. Levin suggests saying something like, “I really get upset when people solve their problems by hurting each other,” and reminding children of times when they solved their own problems in a peaceful way (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2001). This is also an opportunity to encourage empathy.

It is also critical to watch out for racism and stereotyping and to teach children to respect differences (Greenman, 2001). Provide them with information about other cultures and explain that most people don’t believe in hurting others and find the terrorist attacks just as upsetting and shocking as we do.