Even small children may be absorbing news clips about Ukraine, Russia, and conflict
As adults across the world watch Russia attack Ukraine, triggering what many fear will be Europe's largest conflict since 1945 and potentially altering global gasoline, food, and metals prices (among the obvious other effects of war), our children may be absorbing not just our words, but also our stress. Whether they're teens reading the news for the first time or tiny kids getting fragments of terrifying terms like "bombing" and "war," most of our children are aware that something dreadful is happening.
According to Tania Taylor, hypnotherapist, psychotherapist, and mentor, children are like sponges that absorb everything around them: "Whether on the news, someone talking to the shop checkout lady, parents chatting in the playground, or the latest TikTok video, much of what they are hearing, especially once at school, is out of your control." And, on occasion, external influences (for example, Kevin on the playground informing everyone that World War Three is about to begin and that we're all going to die) might elicit a stronger terror response."
So, whether or not we believe kids are old enough to grasp what is going on in Ukraine, they may approach us with questions. Here are some things to bear in mind if they do (or if they're old enough to initiate a dialogue with them).
First, take stock of your own emotions
Especially if your kids are little (say, ages 7-8 or younger), you may be surprised when you pick them up from school, and they spontaneously ask you what “war” means and if people are going to die. Every parent gets caught off-guard with hard-hitting questions long before we’re ready for them, but when we are, we can catch our breath before offering any kind of detailed response by bouncing the question back to them.
"Well, tell me what you know about 'war.'" In this case, " might be a nice place to start. It's critical to grasp the context of their inquiry so you know what they've heard and how much information they may require or understand. (There's always the possibility that they're asking about something completely unrelated, such as a video game, so make it obvious that they're truly asking about Russia and Ukraine.)
If you need to gather your thoughts before responding, you might accept their query and offer to respond shortly. Something along the lines of, "That's a great question, and I'm delighted you asked." I want to make sure I give you a decent response, so allow me a moment to think about it, and we can discuss it further at dinner tonight. Is that correct? ”
How to Talk to Young Children About Russia and Ukraine
When you do sit down to chat, keep in mind that young children are adept at taking only as much information as they are able to manage. So tell them the minimal essentials: There are some troops who are heading into another nation where they are not supposed to be (this is known as "invading"), and many people all around the globe are outraged about it. This is all occurring in the distance, and we are secure here.
Then let them take the lead. That may be all they require or desire, or they may inquire further, such as what the nation is named, how far away it is, or why they are invading. Build on each question with basic, straightforward explanations. Always ask if they have any further questions at the conclusion of the talk to ensure that they don't have any lingering issues or anxiety that they haven't yet expressed.
How to Discuss Russia and Ukraine with Tweens
Older children, ages 9 to 12, will be more tuned in to adult conversations—their friends and classmates may be discussing what's going on, and they may be gathering information on their own through social media. As with younger children, it's best to start with what they already know and expand from there—especially if "what they know" is likely to have gotten from an untrustworthy source like TikTok. (This is also an excellent opportunity to expand on prior discussions you've probably already had about misinformation and the value of checking out credible sources.)
As you go through the fundamentals, it may be beneficial for them to look at a map and compare where Russia and Ukraine are located to where they live to see how far away this is occurring and how safe they are. Answer any more questions they may have, and then maintain an open discussion with your tweens in the coming weeks and months. Check in on a regular basis to see if any new questions have arisen, and assist them in locating age-appropriate and up-to-date material on the conflict, if they desire it (their teacher may have suggestions for that).
How to Approach Teenagers About Russia and Ukraine
Teenagers are probably definitely aware of what is going on in Ukraine by now. According to Jessica Biren Caverly, a licensed psychologist and owner of Western Connecticut Behavioral Health, it is especially important to be proactive in conversations with teenagers who may be getting most of their information from social media: "The negative impact of hearing information from an unreliable and biased source is that children then form opinions and ideals based on misinformation." "A person may acquire one information and create a belief, but to modify that view, you may need to study more than 100 additional facts."
Teenagers are also on the verge of being able to vote for themselves, so parents should assist them in seeking reliable information from credible sources so they may begin to understand about complicated political topics, she says. Then, encourage them to ask additional questions and explore any answers you don't already know if you don't already know them—looking for proper answers together when you're unsure is a wonderful behavior to model for them at this age.
In the end, "children depend on adults to help them make sense of global events and feel protected when the events are distressing," Andrea Barbalich, editor-in-chief of The Week Junior US, told New Jersey Family.
So, first and foremost, remember to be cool and truthful.
#Russia #Ukraine #WorldWar #Tweeter #Facebook
SOURCE: lifehacker
What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment