Here are some tips on talking to children about gun violence

Indian Community School in Franklin closed for two days in September after a man pointed a handgun at a school staff member. Schools, including Milwaukee Public Schools, conduct safety drills to prepare students for potential threats. But talking to a 4-year-old about guns and gun violence is different from talking to a teenager, experts say. It’s important to be informative without being overwhelming, said Bianca Tocci, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin and pediatric trauma psychologist at Children’s Wisconsin. She said conversations about gun violence should reflect children’s developmental needs, including their age, experiences and ability to understand the information. Here are four things to keep in mind when talking to young children about guns and gun violence. 1. Start by asking what they already know Before explaining guns or gun violence, adults should ask children what they already know about the subject, Tocci sai