Psychiatrist offers advice for parents after 10-year-old Malayshia Alford's death

All right, we want to turn now to new developments in the murder case of 10-year-old Malaysia Alford. Philadelphia's district attorney says his office will announce an independent investigation into the care and tragic death of Malaysia tomorrow. And also tomorrow, city council is expected to introduce a resolution to have social workers wear body cameras. All this coming as the community continues to demand answers and accountability for what happened to Malaysia. The case shaking so many people young and old across the city. And many parents have been struggling with how to talk to their young children about everything, especially the parents with kids who either went to school with Malaysia or were taught by Malaysia's foster mother, who's been charged in her murder. Shawnette, you spoke with a child psychologist about all of this. What did she have to say? What advice did she have to give here? Well, Sheba, she acknowledges that this is a difficult conversation to have, but it is a must-have. Now, we know that the School District of Philadelphia here did provide grief counseling for kids when this all first happened, but now parents will have to pick up the conversation. Heartbreaking sight of children in emotional distress. Friends and classmates grieving the loss of 10-year-old Malaysia Alford. I think it's important for people to remember, especially since Malaysia was... Ten years old that even little kids have grief. Others like this little girl were students of Caprice Williams, an elementary school teacher and Malaysia's foster mom who is charged with murdering her. All difficult to understand, especially at such a young age. Many times you might have to ask the kid, seek that out in them. How are you feeling? How are you doing? I know this is a sad situation. I think it's important to just say that sometimes there's mean people in the world. I know we need to just say that we're doing our best to keep them safe. Dr. Judith Alton is an adolescent and child psychiatrist in practice for about 30 years. She talks about parents answering tough questions. I think it's important also not to use Those euphemisms like she went to sleep. Or the child or someone went to sleep because that can that can that can scare little kids in terms of now they might wonder, well, if I go to sleep will I wake up, you might go into a discussion about the life cycle, about how we live. And then at different times, we we. Um, we're not alive anymore. She says a child's behavior may not reflect how they're coping. Children will play regardless. So a lot of times people say, well, they're playing. They look fine. The adults need to still check in and say, how are you doing? And just the most basic child language. It's a difficult conversation, but parents shouldn't avoid it. Sometimes kids get upset. You know, they say later on when I. See them, they'll say nobody seemed to care because nobody was crying or nobody was upset and nobody talked about it. Artwork like this left outside the home where Malaysia lived may also help. Do some things like get a little plant in memory of her, draw a picture. A lot of times artwork, if you just take the crayons and have her draw the person that they've lost and talk about what did they like about them, what do they remember about them, you know, what a good friend that they were. All right. Dr. Alton also suggests that parents, Jason and Sheba, limit children's access to graphic details about, you know, what happened. You know, we know that kids at a very young age have access now to cell phones, iPads, all sorts of devices. So she says, you know, it's very important that they not follow every detail of this investigation, which we are still learning so much about. I like her tip, Shawnette, in terms of putting feelings into action. And I think it's helpful, too, to go by the home and unite with the community as well. That could help with the healing. Really insightful advice. Shawnette, thank you. We'll be back.