The most important thing when talking to children about war events in the world is not to avoid the topic, but to explain it sensitively, age-appropriately and with an emphasis on the feeling of security. It’s just as important to sense their emotions, track what’s troubling them, and protect them from excessive stressful content. Stanislava Knut from the League for Mental Health told TASR that it is pointless to overwhelm the child with a lot of details, but rather to answer simply and truthfully what is being asked.
“At the same time, it is important to reassure the child that he is safe and that adults are doing everything to take care of him. It also helps to find out what exactly worries the child. Sometimes he is not asking about the war as such, but about a specific thing that he heard at school, on the news or on the Internet.” said Knut.
Avoiding the subject completely doesn’t usually help much, according to Knut. “Children often pick up information from school, from classmates or from the Internet, and if they can’t talk about it at home, they can create even scarier ideas in their heads. It’s more important to watch how the child reacts and how much information he actually needs. It also helps to make sure that children are not exposed to violent images or a constant stream of messages that can unnecessarily increase their fear,” explained Knut.
With smaller children, according to her, it is good to stick to a very simple explanation. “With older children or teenagers, the conversation is already different. They often have more information from school and social networks and can ask about the wider context. Then it makes sense to speak more openly, ask what they think about it and help them navigate the information that comes to them,” said Knut.
If a child becomes afraid of war or has nightmares or anxiety, it is important to take their fears seriously and not trivialize them. “It helps to have a conversation in which he can say what exactly he is afraid of. Sometimes it turns out that the fear was triggered by specific information or an image that he saw. If the fear persists, outside support can also help, for example, a conversation with a school psychologist or other professionalwho knows how to work with children on such concerns. Children are the litmus test of emotions in the family and absorb our fears and anxieties. As parents, let’s be authentic, but be careful of what the child sees and feels about us,” said Knut.
According to Knut, constant reports of conflicts can have a longer-term effect on children’s psychological development. “If children watch news or videos of conflicts for a long time, it can affect how they perceive safety in the world. For some children, it can also be reflected indirectly. They can be more irritable, sleep worse, or be more afraid of things that didn’t bother them before.” Knut said.
Parents should pay attention especially if the child’s behavior changes significantly and lasts longer. It can be, for example, frequent nightmares, sleep problems, fear, avoiding school or friends, or the fact that the child seems anxious for a long time. In such a case, it may help to consult a psychologist or other professional.
