Our children are constantly absorbing things they read, see, and hear and it’s completely natural for them to be picking up on the situation in Ukraine and feeling anxious and asking questions about what is going on.

 

Children and young people have experienced an incredibly difficult two years due to the pandemic, and now they are faced with an even more uncertain world with the threat of conflict and war. It is important that we don’t avoid talking to our children about what is going on, but you might want to try to moderate their exposure to constant rolling news and updates. As hostilities in Ukraine escalate, children may see and hear things about the crisis in the news, leading to feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear, which parents and caregivers need to address. News should come from reliable sources. Avoid exposure to a constant stream of news – be mindful of whether parents/carers have the radio or TV on all day, as children will be absorbing news without us realising it.

 

Children around the world might not fully understand what is happening in Ukraine and may have questions about the images, stories, and conversations they are exposed to.

 

Visit the following page on our website for resources and information for how to talk to children about the current situation in Ukraine. 

 

 

The websites below also share some useful advice:

 

https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/2022/02/28/speaking-with-children-about-the-war-in-ukraine

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/13865002