Many adults are still trying to understand and make sense of Tuesday's senseless tragedy. Yet they are the ones children are looking to for answers and explanations.

At the Montclair State University Child Care Center, 30 preschoolers are among the most innocent of our nation looking for answers and comfort. "Most of them are having a lot of anxiety about planes crashing," said teacher Dana Purcel. "They have parents who travel and they are concerned."

Purcel said her daily group time discussion on Thursday focused on the tragedy. "They are very focused on the plane aspect," she said. "But I assured them that planes are safe and talked about a recent trip I took. Then the children start talking about when they were on a plane and how it was safe." Purcel said she also emphasized that airport officials are working to make the airports safer and more secure.

Purcel said many parents approached her for advice on how to discuss the tragedy at home. She gave them these tips:

• Acknowledge the tragedy and that many people died and many are sad because of it.
  
  
• Discuss the events factually.
  
  
• Emphasize that many people are helping those who were injured and that police are investigating what happened.
  
  
• Avoid letting the children watch the television coverage. The scenes are too graphic for young children.
  
  
• Avoid letting them overhear adult conversation. "Everyone is still too emotional," Purcel said. "The children don't need to hear about revenge."
  
  
• Refrain from using the term "bad people." "I know that a lot of the children are hearing that because that is what they are repeating in the classroom," she said. "It makes children scared to think there are ‘bad people' out there. It threatens their sense of security."
  
  
• Ensure them that they and their family are safe.

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