Get children ready for school with expert tips

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - It was a scene no one could imagine. A shooting massacre inside Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut that killed 27 people including 20 children.

Retired Purdue professor of human development and family studies Judith Meyers-Walls said the shooting may have happened on the East Coast, but it's possible children hundreds of miles away understand what happened.

"Fifty or 100 years ago most news was in newspaper," Meyers-Walls said. "You had to read to be able to experience it. These days children are going to be surrounded by images."

Meyers-Walls said some children may be afraid to return to school. She recommends not keeping your children out of class, and maintaining a normal routine.

However, she said stay in touch with your children about what happened at Sandy Hook.

"Ask them what they've heard about it," Meyers-Walls said. "Ask them what they think about it. Answer their questions. You may see some issues coming up in their play, or they may do something a little different than normal. Ask them about it."

Once Monday comes and children leave their parents for the day Meyers-Walls said everyone from bus drivers to teachers can help children cope.

"[Teachers can say] you're there for [the children] as much as possible," Meyers-Walls said. "They don't understand probability. They don't understand all the possibilities. They do understand if they have strong, caring adults around them."

Meyers-Walls said when it comes to teenagers tragedies like this one can be a good time for them to do good and give to those in need.