BU Today: Trauma Expert Prof. DeVoe Helps Parents & Teachers Talk to Kids About the Israel-Hamas War
As children and teens encounter misinformation and rumors about the Israel-Hamas War, it’s important for parents and teachers to know how to discuss complex current events in honest but age-appropriate ways. Prof. Ellen DeVoe, associate dean for Academic Affairs at BU School of Social Work, recently shared her trauma expertise to help adults navigate these complicated topics.
Excerpt from “How to Talk to Kids about the Israel-Hamas War” by Molly Callahan:
“If it’s likely that a child will hear about something in school, DeVoe recommends opening up a conversation at home first.
‘For kids in elementary school, we might pull out a globe and explain that they may hear about what’s going on at the playground or in the lunchroom. Then I’d be sure to make myself available as a parent for any questions they might have,’ she says.
Teachers, who care for students from myriad backgrounds and family political affiliations, may have a more challenging task when it comes to global events. ‘But teachers can certainly respond to distress,’ DeVoe says, by offering an open space to ask questions or express emotions in their classrooms.
‘This is happening at the university level with undergraduate and graduate students as well, but creating resources for students of all ages to get support outside of the classroom is really helpful,’ she says. ‘One of the things that can happen is that if every teacher brings up what’s happening in every class, that’s a lot of time that students of any age are spending not working on their actual curriculum. And for kids, as well as adults, sometimes it’s more helpful to have something else to focus on for periods of time.’”