Expert: school routine is important to maintain after national tragedy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Returning to class may be difficult for many kids, parents and teachers across the nation Monday.

Most school spokespeople say they’ll have counselors and teachers ready to handle questions and conversations if needed with students.

Judith Myers-Walls, a Human Development and Family Studies Professor Emeritus at Purdue, says going back to school Monday could bring out new emotions in parents, teachers, students, and anyone associated with schools.

“It may be the first time some reactions appear in some of the children, and it may be tough for some of the parents to let their kids go,” said Myers-Walls.

Still, she says normalcy is what will make children – and parents alike – feel safe.

“It’s important to try to re-establish the normal and the routine, so we can be reassured by the expectancies that go with the normal routine,” she added.

If there is any uneasiness with small children about heading to school, Myers-Walls recommends sending your child with an item to remind them you’re thinking about them, and always with them.

She also adds, parents will need to “leave the door open” to conversation in the future about the tragedy. “A parent or a teacher needs to be prepared for the fact that even a two year old, might have heard something that may have been confusing,” she said.

And she adds one talk is not going to do it. Many children may come back an hour, a day, a week, even a year later with questions as the national conversation continues around them.

Here's more on how to talk to your children about tragedy.