Mizzou Department of Communication professor Dr. Haley Horstman shares tips with families as the nation reflects on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. 

As an expert in interpersonal and family communication, Dr. Horstman offers evidence-based, practical guidance on how to talk appropriately about 9/11 with children. 

Parents may wonder whether and how to approach these conversations with their children. Dr. Horstman encourages parents to initiate age-appropriate conversations about 9/11 with children so that children understand that conversations about historical events and tragedies are not off-limits. 

Waiting for children to initiate conversations may unintentionally communicate to them that it's not okay to talk about it.  

She also encourages parents to make these conversations age-appropriate. For example, parents don't need to share all the details; sharing more as the child ages and develops greater cognitive and emotional capacity is a good approach.

Read the full story on the Show Me Mizzou website.