Caring for Kids is a monthly article series brought to you by the early childhood education experts in Child and Family Care and Children’s Centers.
Today's world is incredibly interconnected. This means local, national, and global disasters and crises can have a big impact on us. Compared to adults, young children may have less information or less experience processing upsetting events like natural disasters, war, or other crises. When these difficult things happen, they can cause feelings of fear, anxiety, and sadness in all of us, including our kids. During these moments, children look to us for information, reassurance, and comfort.
"It’s crucial for caregiving adults to ensure children feel safe,” says Christine Snyder, director of UHR Child and Family Care. “Adult caregivers should be a trusted resource for children to discuss their feelings. By being available to talk and acknowledging children’s feelings, you display reliability and understanding.”
Navigating our own reactions and supporting our children in these difficult times may be hard. Start by identifying and understanding your own feelings about these events. Processing your own emotions can help prepare you for talking with your child. When children communicate their feelings of fear, uncertainty, anger, and sadness to you, let them know that you feel those things too to reinforce that it's natural, healthy and human for them to experience. If you notice that your child is distressed, talking helps to process feelings and reduces stress. Following are more tips:
- Regularly check in with your child to see how they are feeling. Young children may not have an awareness of natural disasters or global events but could respond to stress they perceive from others around them.
- If your child mentions awareness of a tragedy or crisis, ask what they already know. This helps you know where to start the conversation.
- Ask them what questions they have. They may have misunderstandings that make it feel scarier. Gently provide the facts as you understand them.
- Be honest, simple, and clear with your words.
- Take it slow and give your child time to consider and ask additional questions.
- For older children, spending time together to discuss and gather more information may help resolve feelings of worry. However, avoid sources that may increase fear or the graphic nature of an event.
“Younger children may simply show a sense of concern brought on by overhearing news or adult conversation and sometimes that comes out as subtle behavior changes. Time with a trusted adult can restore their feelings of safety and security.” Snyder emphasizes. ”Older children will often be more aware of major global events, and making time and space to talk about it can help their processing in the moment and for future difficult situations.”
Open, supportive conversations can help us comprehend and process conflicts and disasters that are part of our world. Encourage your kids to stay curious and ask questions - that's how we grow.
Suggested Resources to Learn More
For Kids 0-3
For All Age Ranges
- Talking to Children About Disasters - Healthy Children
- Explaining the News to Our Kids | Common Sense Media
- When Difficult Things Happen - PDF from the Fred Rodgers Institute
- What to say to kids when the news is scary
