My son is also five. I talked with him briefly about the shootings this weekend because I was afraid he would learn about them on the playground, and I thought it better for him to hear the news from me. Other parents chose to not say anything because they didn't want to upset their children. Guess what? The school was abuzz with the news, and much of it was misinformed. The teachers were prepared to talk with the students, but only if the kids brought it up. They did.

Whether we like it or not, some kids are exposed to the Internet and television (how can they not be, since TVs are in every public space these days?), and they will bring their interpretations of these events to school. I'm glad my child could process the news with me before hearing it from another five-, six-, or seven-year-old.

Another elaborates on that view: