When my son was in kindergarten, he came home one day with a bewildering story about a raccoon roaming the hallways of his school. I assumed it was just a playful tale spun by his classmates, but as he repeated the story, I started to piece together the truth. He explained that his teacher had told them to huddle in the corner of the classroom and stay quiet to avoid being discovered by the raccoon. It was then that I realized: the “raccoon” was a euphemism for an active shooter, and the drill was a lockdown exercise disguised to soften the harsh reality.
It broke my heart to think about how this was the world we live in today—a place where children have to practice hiding from potential violence. While I understood the teacher’s intent to shield the kids from the horrifying truth, my son now believed that a raccoon could appear at any moment, leading him to express fears about going outside for recess.
He wasn’t overtly terrified, but the anxiety it sparked in him was palpable. I found myself wishing the teachers had communicated more clearly about the situation so that we could help our children navigate their feelings.
Sadly, my son’s experience is just one among many as schools nationwide have adapted to the grim reality of regularly conducting lockdown drills. For countless children, the fear of an active shooter is more than just a drill; it’s a palpable anxiety.
As we reflect on this unsettling trend, it’s crucial to recognize the toll these drills take on children’s mental health. Nancy Addison, a family therapist, is shedding light on this issue in her book, Lockdown: Talking to Your Kids About School Violence. She points out that while the chances of a child dying in a school shooting are minuscule—only 0.05%—the emotional trauma from lockdown drills affects millions.
Kislin emphasizes that our kids are experiencing signs of trauma more than we realize, especially during drills that simulate real-life shooting scenarios. The images of mass school shootings that they see on news or social media can have lasting effects. A Pew Research Center survey reveals that 57% of teens worry about the possibility of a school shooting occurring at their school, with 63% of parents sharing similar fears.
While lockdown drills are essential for safety, they often exacerbate children’s anxiety. Parents frequently remain unaware of how often these drills occur or what they entail. Many children develop fears associated with everyday school activities, like using the restroom, due to the possibility of a lockdown.
Kislin believes schools can take several steps to alleviate this anxiety. First and foremost, it’s crucial that schools clarify when a lockdown drill is happening so that children know it’s not a real emergency. She also opposes active shooter drills that simulate violence, suggesting that parents should receive notifications after drills to help their children process the experience.
Additionally, mindfulness techniques and simple de-stress exercises after drills could help children cope with the adrenaline and anxiety they feel. A few minutes of stretching or breathing exercises after a drill could make a significant difference.
As a parent, I would have appreciated a heads-up about the “raccoon” in my son’s school. Understanding when these drills happen—and how to talk about them—would empower us to better support our children in navigating their fears. We wish for a world where school shootings are unheard of, but as we adapt to this new reality, we must prioritize our children’s mental well-being.
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Summary
Lockdown drills in schools, while necessary for safety, can lead to significant anxiety and trauma among children. It’s vital for schools to communicate transparently about these drills, provide emotional support, and help children process their fears to protect their mental health.