How old should your kids be to explain 9/11 to them?

Suzie- If your children are in public school they have no doubt already been exposed to history through classes, though not in the detail they will receive later in time as in middle school or high school. I agree, you know your children better than anyone else and will know how much is too much. My own children who live at home are only four and two so they have no knowledge of what occurred. I feel that as they get older and ask questions we'll talk openly and honestly about exactly what occurred. I would hope that I would present it objectively rather than subjectively, as history should be presented. I would also make sure they understood that what these people did was in no way a reflection of the entire Muslim community. I think though that because we have Muslim friends this is already being taught by our own actions. I also think that we need to remember that children are incredibly intuitive and intelligent. Even if we do not teach them directly they are smart enough to pick up information. They also pick up on our own emotions. Your children may be upset over some things because you are upset. I'm not saying that is a negative, it is just what occurs between two human beings. Now, my four oldest children lived through 911 and we have friends from New York who were affected so they have always spoken about it. On the day it occurred I could not get out of going in to teach so my own children had to go to school. They school had set up counselors to talk about what was going on, and keep tabs. Our own school did the same and I spent my day allowing my own students the chance to speak about it. I had friends calling me from overseas to check in with us, and other friends. It was an incredibly emotional day. A year later I had my same students do a reflection book that they each got a copy of and I have my copy. It was how they felt the year before and how they felt a year later. The responses still bring tears to my eyes, but I'm an fairly emotion based person. The best thing to do is to allow your children to direct how much you speak about, how little you speak, and more so how much you listen. Namaste-Anora

Hello Suzie, I believe they have the right to know, about the harsh realities of life. and most specially this one, sometimes teaching kids about reality prevents them from living in the fantasy when they grow old. i think it's our prerogative to teach children on how to get over their emotions when ever they hear a history that can't never be changed. but of course, it's best if it's mentioned when they are old enough.

My suggestion is to tell them when they are about 12, the age where most kids can grasp concepts. 9/11 is considered a part of history, but it's an important day to remember. Let them know that there's such an incident and try to make it known to them what are terrorists and what they did that day. Maybe explain to them the importance of protecting the country and so on.

at least seven, because child able to gasp the concept and will learn and analyse in his way the things in the past. most people learn from 7 and onwards. they continue learning and learns more after 7.