For many of us, talking about violence, racism and injustice with other adults is difficult and uncomfortable. And for parents of young children, it’s even harder to know what to say in this confusing and often frightening time, especially when parents are still grappling with their own feelings. 

But as images of police brutality and cities on fire continue to saturate media, keeping kids in the dark may not be an option. 

Here to give parents advice on having these conversations with their kids in a developmentally appropriate manner is Dr. Adrienne Adams, director of the Child and Adolescent Fellowship Program at Rush University. Adams is also the assistant professor of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Rush Medical College.