For many of us, September 11 is a “where were you” moment of our generation, and is perhaps one of the hardest dates to explain to a small child.
Last year, as I was watching the news coverage, my daughter asked me why I was crying. As best I could, I explained to my nearly three-year-old that a long time ago some bad people attacked our country. Why? she asked. Because they don’t like us.
For her, that was enough. But I know as she gets older, the questions will get harder.
Another of our contributors asked a few of her students if they knew what happened on 9/11/01…some could recall stories told by their parents, others hadn’t been born.
I so vividly remember where I was the moment that I learned about the attacks and the days that followed as we all processed what that day meant to America’s history. It’s a day that our children will learn about in school and so it’s important for us as parents to approach the topic first and answer the questions in the safety of their home so they’re no scared or worried when it becomes a topic of conversation at school. Remembering 9/11 is something that I do often and will continue to talk about with my kids.
In light of teaching our children about remembering 9/11, we have compiled a brief list of resources including books and articles to read:
And a few books specifically for younger children:
- September 12th: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right by Masterson Elementary Students
- Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman
- On That Day: A Book of Hope for Children by Andrea Patel
Older Children:
- With Their Eyes by Annie Thoms
- America Is Under Attack by Don Brown
What do you tell your children about this day?
by Elisabeth Myrick
former OMB Contributor
