How to Talk About Paris Attacks With Children

— -- Days after terrorists stormed multiple sites in Paris, leaving at least 129 dead, many people have wondered how to explain the situation to curious or frightened children.

A French children's magazine took on the challenge this week by releasing a pamphlet aimed at explaining the deadly attacks to the youngest French citizens.

Depictions of a cartoon Eiffel Tower and peace symbol are used to help make the potentially frightening situation easier to understand.

"Whether you live in Paris or elsewhere, know that your home and your school are safe," the pamphlet reads in a translated statement. "The best way to respond to the violence and insanity of these men it to continue to live normally and to defend your ideals in respecting others."

While the attacks happened abroad, New York psychiatrist Dr. Janet Taylor told ABC News that even far-off events can leave children frightened and scared here in the United States. She advises parents to be truthful but emphasize what you can do as a family to stay safe.

"For kids, think about a way to talk to them that’s age appropriate; we don’t want to scare them but we also want to make them [aware] of the reality," she explained.

Taylor said parents should not hide the truth because with television and social media, many children will know enough about what happened.

"Keep it simple, ask them how they feel, let them talk to you and answer in a way that doesn’t scare them but informs them," Taylor said.

She also recommended that scared parents learn to acknowledge their fear but find constructive ways of accepting it, such as therapy, exercise or prayer, before moving on with life.

"These for the most part are small events that happen," Taylor said. "We have other daily disruptions and traumas that happen in our own lives, and most of us are safe and thank goodness we are."