Again, just a few months after the tragedy in Sandy Hook, we find ourselves reeling from an unspeakable horror — the bombs that left three people dead and more than 100 injured at Monday's Boston Marathon.

It's hard to tear ourselves away from the news reports.

And, as much as we might try, we can't shelter our children from the news.

"They're going to be exposed to it, one way or another,'' says Donna M. Burns, professor of educational psychology at The College of Saint Rose and author of "When Kids Are Grieving: Addressing Grief and Loss in School." "They don't live in a bubble."

So parents need to know how to handle the questions when they come.

Burns suggests limiting media exposure, while acknowledging that it's inevitable that they will see some of it.

"More important is if the child is going to be in front of the TV or computer monitor that a parent is with them," Burns says.

Here are some tips from Burns:

Don't lie to kids to protect them. Don't say: "This will never happen here. This can never happen again." Do say: "We'll do everything in our power to keep you safe."

"That's honest. That's real and a child understands that," Burns says.

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Try to be calm. Children will generalize. They see what's going on in Boston and equate it with the Freihofer's race coming up in June or the next visit they make to a city. Children mirror behaviors they see — if the parent is anxious and distraught, the child won't hear their calming words. "Be calm and soothing, as best we can be," Burns says.

Use "comfort care" on those 3 and younger. They're young, Burns says, but they will still absorb this. If they see everyone around is anxious, they might exhibit regressive behaviors. They may want to be held. Parents should hold and soothe them in a calm manner.

For preschoolers, observe how they may be acting out their fears in play. For those 3 to 7, anxiety may manifest itself in sleep or eating patterns, Burns says. You may see changes in behavior in the way they play. They may re-enact what they've seen on TV by crashing cars together. Parents should observe and ask the child what they're doing and coax them into a more soothing kind of conversation.

"We make assumptions about what a child feels and understands," Burns says. "Ask the child. They'll tell you."

Parse out the digestible details for older kids. Children 7 to 11 are developing cognition. They show more concerns for others and for their own safety and well-being. They're trying to understand what's going on in the world around them. Signs of anxiety may show through in lack of concentration in school. Parents shouldn't go into too much graphic detail, because it can be stressful for the child.

With children older than 11, sit down and talk comfortably. If you don't sit down typically and talk, it may not work.

"Sit down as family and say something like, 'Let's talk about what happened' and listen to what they have to say. Don't impose opinions," Burns said. "As parents of teenagers, don't react."

If the teen is angry, allow him to express himself without intervening or editing. This will keep the child from talking to you. Use active listening and focus your attention on the child. Show respect. Don't judge.

"That's how we get to have good open communication with children. Children need to have adults around them who will listen and care," Burns says. "A key component to all of this is how caring adults around them respond. Be supportive. Don't just leave them in front of TV or social media outlets without an adult."