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.
In light of teaching our children about this day, we compiled a brief list of resources:
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
