Children who witnessed the killing of 11-year-old Luke Batty at a Melbourne oval could re-enact the event as a playful coping mechanism.
Parents should not be alarmed by this, says a clinical psychologist.
It can be a child's way of processing what's happened.
"An adult might talk about it. A child might re-enact it," said Dr Ben Buchanan of the Victorian Counselling and Psychological Services.
Parents should speak to their child about what they are feeling. But he said it's OK if they do not need to talk.
"Different children will react in different ways," Dr Buchanan said.
"Some will sail on through with no obvious reaction. Others might become anxious. They might have sleeping problems, nightmares and a fear of being alone."
He said families should not avoid the oval and children should get back into their usual routine.
Those who live near the oval in particular should get back to normal.
"If there is avoidance of the stimulus that reminds children of traumatic events then it can perpetuate the trauma."
Parents should be concerned if a child's distress does not subside after eight to twelve weeks, said Kate Carnell, CEO of the beyondblue depression and anxiety organisation.
"If not, it could be post traumatic stress disorder. This can be treated much more easily in its early stages than if it is allowed to develop."
Dr Buchanan said families should make their own decisions about attending memorial events.
"We have particular social conventions around death that mainly serve to comfort adults. Children experience trauma and death in a completely different way.
"If the child expresses an interest in wanting to go, then sure. But if a child knows that it's on but does not express a need to go then I would not be pushing them."
Yearly events and reminders also might not be helpful for children.
"That is an adult way of coping, the yearly memorials," he said.
"What is important is not putting adult ways of coping onto the children.
"They should be allowed to talk about it when they are ready and not stopped from re-enacting the events as a part of play."
If children have social withdrawal, nightmares, sleep problems or anger and aggression in the weeks afterwards, parents should consult a GP about a referral to a psychologist, he said.
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