When my daughter was in kindergarten, she came home one day, wide-eyed and anxious, claiming there was a raccoon roaming the hallways at school. “What?” I asked, thinking it was just another playground tale spun by her classmates. But after hearing her recount the story a few more times, it became clear that her teacher had used “raccoon” as a euphemism for something much more serious.
As she described how her class huddled together in a corner, whispering in fear, I realized they weren’t hiding from an animal at all. They were participating in a lockdown drill, and the “raccoon” was a code for the threat of a shooter. My heart sank as I realized the implications of this twisted reality we live in. How sad that children must navigate such fear at such a young age!
I understood the teacher’s intention to mitigate panic by using a less frightening term, but it backfired. My daughter began to genuinely believe a raccoon could appear at any moment. Other kids claimed to have spotted one outside, causing her to hesitate going out for recess. While she wasn’t outright terrified, the constant chatter about it kept her on edge, and I was baffled as to why the school hadn’t communicated with parents to help us process this unsettling experience.
This is just one story among countless others. Across the United States, schools have adapted to a new reality where lockdown drills are routine, and the challenge of conveying the concept of school shootings to young students looms large. For many children, the idea of hiding in silence isn’t just about an imaginary raccoon; they are acutely aware that they’re preparing for a potential active shooter scenario.
The state of our world is deeply troubling, and the fact that our lawmakers seem paralyzed in the face of gun violence adds to the sense of helplessness many feel. But beyond these broader issues lies the urgent need to address the mental health toll these drills take on our children.
Insights from Dr. Rachel Thompson
Dr. Rachel Thompson, a child psychologist, aims to shed light on this issue. Her recently released book, Lockdown: Understanding the Impact of School Violence on Children, tackles the emotional strain lockdown drills impose on today’s youth. As Dr. Thompson explains, “We can’t ignore the mental health consequences these drills inflict. Although the risk of school violence remains low, the psychological impact is significant.”
She points out that many children are showing signs of anxiety and trauma due to these drills, especially in cases where simulated shootings occur. “Experiencing trauma, whether small or large, changes how we perceive and react to the world,” Dr. Thompson states. “What about the child who watches the news and sees the aftermath of a shooting? Or the teen who views a live stream of a tragedy unfolding?”
Surveys indicate that anxiety surrounding school shootings is prevalent among students today, with 57% of teenagers fearing it could happen at their school, and 63% of parents sharing this concern.
Lockdown drills are necessary, yet they often exacerbate the fear that children experience. Dr. Thompson emphasizes that parents are often left in the dark about their children’s experiences during these drills, with little support available for helping them process their emotions.
She suggests that schools should clearly communicate to students that they are participating in a drill rather than a real emergency. Dr. Thompson opposes active shooter simulations, advocating instead for informative lockdown exercises. Furthermore, she believes parents should receive notifications after drills to help their kids decompress.
To alleviate anxiety, she recommends simple strategies, like offering mindfulness techniques during drills and allowing students a few moments to relax afterward. “After a drill, taking two minutes for some light physical activity or breathing exercises can help kids release built-up stress,” she notes.
These straightforward actions could significantly improve how children cope with the reality of lockdown drills. Personally, I would have appreciated advance notice about the “raccoon” scenario my daughter faced at school. Knowing when drills would occur could better equip parents to help their children navigate these complex feelings.
Like any parent, my greatest wish is for my children to grow up in a world where school shootings are a rarity, not a norm. However, given the current landscape, it’s imperative that we prioritize our children’s mental well-being and equip them with the tools to understand and cope with the realities they encounter.
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Summary
Lockdown drills are increasingly common in schools, but their psychological effects on children are often overlooked. Children may develop anxiety and fear from drills intended to prepare them for potential threats. Experts urge schools to communicate clearly about these drills and provide emotional support for students.