The world has watched the Russian invasion of Ukraine unfold on television, social media, and other outlets for the past several weeks.
Despite adults’ best efforts to shield young children from this reality, they may have been exposed to the this war anyway, whether through the media, siblings, friends, or overhearing adults’ conversations.
This can undermine children’s sense of safety as well as their social and emotional well-being.
While young children are not able to comprehend complicated concepts like Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine or the threats to democracy, they will undoubtedly be frightened and confused by the violent images of bombed buildings, tanks or other weapons of war, and of fleeing or injured children, as well as the deep and obvious concerns of the adults around them.
We fully recognize that wars impacting non-white populations such as the war in Syria or conflicts in Central America or Africa have not been covered as heavily by the American press.
These guidelines apply to helping children with all wars and conflicts.
Defending The Years offers guidelines for implementing an age-appropriate, meaningful, and caring way for adults (parents, care-givers, educators) to talk with children about these events to help them process the information in a way that allows them to maintain this important sense of safety and the resulting sense of emotional well-being.