How to talk to children about the attacks.

As an American journalist interviews the editor of a French journal for children, she appears clearly shocked that the Frenchman refuses to 'reassure' the children after the attacks. She feels that this would imply robbing the children of their childhood. You can watch the interview here.

What I like is how the adults take as a starting point the actual questions of the children. They do not immediately respond to them, but take the time to reflect, and then give answers. The answers are in the line of the truth, and in language that is straightforward. The tone is not alarmist, but contained. You can see how seriously the French journalists take these kids' questions.  By taking the children's questions seriously, and by responding to them, the children will feel respected, and as safe as they possibly can.
 

Here are some of the questions the children asked with the answers that were published: 

Why are the terrorists against us? Are they doing it out of revenge?

Frabce , like other countries is at war with the terrorists of the Islamic state, which have taken control of parts of two countries: Syrie, and Irak. The US and other countries have been    bombs in Irak and Syria against the terrorists. They try to target camps where people who might get trained to organize attacks in our country. Terrorists have decided to take vengance by terrorists attacks in Paris. Isis has confirmed that they organized the attack.

Why do terrorists attack innocent people?

Terrorists have killed people in Paris who were eating out in a restaurant, at a concert or at a soccer match in Paris. They have attacked places where we celebrate, and have attacked our way of life. They think that those activities are bad according to their believes.

Why does religion make terrorists do horrible things.

Terrorists are ready to use violence to impose their ideas. They say that they fight to defend their religion. They want to impose on everyone the same very strict rules. They get these rules based on their interpretation of the Curan, the sacred book of Muslims. Examples of very strict rules: forbidden to listen to music, women have to be covered in a black veand can only leave the house in the presence of a man, obligation to pray…

Why do terrorists commit suicide?