Meeting the Moment: How to talk with young children about ICE in our communities

Описание: When communities experience fear and uncertainty, young children feel it — often without the language to express what’s happening inside them.

In this special conversation from Early Risers, host Andre Dukes is joined by children’s mental health specialist Brandon Jones and registered play therapist Olivia Garcia to explore how parents and caregivers can support children ages 1–5 through difficult realities like ICE activity and community trauma.

This conversation offers practical tools, developmental insight, and compassionate guidance to help you create a sense of safety, belonging, and emotional stability for the children in your life.

In this video, you’ll learn:

How young children absorb trauma through their environment
Age-appropriate ways to talk about immigration, safety, and community stress
How play supports emotional regulation and healing
Strategies for limiting frightening media exposure
Signs of anxiety in young children — and how to respond
The role of routines, connection, and honesty in building resilience

Download the free ebook, Outside Our Window, designed to help children process community trauma in developmentally appropriate ways. (Find it on the Early Risers resources page - https://www.mpr.org/collections/early...)

Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or mental health advocate, this episode will equip you with the confidence and tools to turn moments of fear into opportunities for connection and trust.

Because when children feel safe, seen, and supported, resilience can grow — even in uncertain times.