Psychologist shares how to talk to kids about disasters

(CBS, KYMA/KECY) - Tragedies, such as the recent deadly flooding in Texas, have left kids with a lot of questions and perhaps some anxiety.

Research shows children who see or hear about disasters are more likely to show symptoms of fear, worry, preoccupation, and even have trouble sleeping.

Even if kids don't see coverage of tragedies at home, 40% of eight to 12-year-olds are on social media, where videos and pictures of these tragedies may come up.

Dr. Sheryl Ziegler has advice on how to talk to them about the tough subjects.

One of the things you say is there are good people doing good work every day. We don't even see them all that are trying to keep us safe. And me, as your parent every day, I'm also always thinking about your safety. So you start even giving them other examples of things, of things we do for safety so that they're reminded, oh yeah, there's a purpose because you get in a car and you put a seatbelt on, you don't even think about it. Talk to them about those things. They transfer over."

Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, psychologist

When broaching these topics, mental health experts suggests asking kids what they know, validate or clarify the information they have, ask how they are feeling and discuss actions to take.