Texas school shooting: How parents should talk to their kids about the tragedy

American families are on high alert after a gunman opened fire on Tuesday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 children and two teachers.

School districts across the country are increasing security in the wake of the tragedy, which raises questions about how parents and caregivers should speak to their children about violence, and the shooting itself, in an age-appropriate fashion.

"The first thing you need to do is not talk to your kid immediately. You need to take care of yourself first," Dr. Jill Emanuele, vice president of clinical training at Child Mind Institute in New York City, told Fox News Digital in a telephone interview on Wednesday. 

"You need to make sure you processed what you just heard and talked to someone," she also said.