The horrific terrorist attacks in Paris that shocked the world could have lasting impacts on children who viewed television coverage of the tragedy that could lead to nightmares and other signs of psychological trauma.

In an effort to help kids cope, the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a series of recommendations to parents to help manager their children’s responses to the attacks. 

“As pediatricians, we know that violence can have lasting effects on children even if they are only learning about it through the media,” said AAP Chief Executive Dr. Officer Karen Remley in a press statement. “The AAP urges everyone to take care with the images that children see and hear about.”

Among the recommendations posted at the AAP’s family resource Website at  HealthyChildren.org:

Talk to your kids: Children cope more effectively with a tragedy when they feel they understand what is happening and what they can do to help protect themselves, family, and friends. Provide basic information to help them understand, without providing unnecessary details.

For very young children: Offer simple explanations of what happened and note that many people who are working to help. Do what you can to remind your kids that they are safe.

For older kids: Give more details on the events, but start by asking what they already know and what questions they have and use that as a guide for the conversation. Limit media coverage of the disaster or at least watch TV with them.

Ask questions: Be sure to ask children what concerns they have. Often they have fears based on limited information or because they misunderstood what they were told. Reassure children when you can, but if their fears are realistic, do not give false reassurance. Instead, help them learn how to cope with these feelings.

Note it’s OK to be upset: Let your child know that it is all right to be upset that something bad that happened and ask about troubling feelings he or she may have.

Don't explain it away: You don’t need to explain or give a reason for what happened. It is okay to simply say you do not know why this happened.