Clear Up Any Misunderstandings Listen and ask questions to find out if your children understand the situation accurately. They may think they are at risk when they are not. Different perspectives and misinformation about war is common. Family who live in the region may be get- ting different news stories. Clear up any misinformation your children might have heard. Discuss with older children the complexities of the political situation and the potential impacts. Discuss as a family if there are aspects of the current situation that you want to collectively support or research more about (e.g., donating to a charity, reading about the history of the region). The events in the Ukraine and Russia can be confusing for adults, too. Gather information from trusted news sources so that you can address your children’s questions; this can increase your confidence in answering their questions as you begin the conversation. If you are not sure of an answer, that’s OK. Let children know you appreciate the question and that you can work together to find the answer. Provide Context Younger children hearing about war may worry about their own safety. Discuss with them where the war is and reassure them that their own community is safe. Young adults and older teens may wonder about a draft or may show interest in joining the military. Address their questions and support them accordingly. Help children identify assumptions they may hold about others based on their nationality, place of birth, or languages spoken. Caregivers and school personnel should ensure that all children are being treated with respect. Monitor Adult Conversations Use caution when discussing the war in front of younger children. Children often listen when adults are unaware and may misconstrue what they hear, and filling in the blanks with more inaccuracies may increase their distress. Monitor the tone of your discussions, as expressing views in an angry or aggressive way may frighten young children. Be as calm as possible when discussing the war in language young children can understand. Monitor your expression of worries and concerns about any economic impact the war may have on your family as your anxieties may unintentionally be communicated to your children. Understanding Media Exposure Media coverage of war, combat, and its aftermath may be upsetting to children of all ages and can increase fear and anxiety. The more time children spend viewing coverage of the war, the more likely they are to have negative reactions. Excessive viewing may interfere with children’s recovery afterwards. Very young children may not understand that the event is not happening in their community. Caregivers can help by limiting exposure to media coverage, including social media discussions of the war. This is helpful for caregivers too. The younger the child, the less exposure they should have. If possible, preschool children should not be watching coverage at all. Caregivers can support older children by viewing media together in order to answer questions or explain what they are seeing, even continuing to be open to discussion after you turn the coverage off. Check in with them about what is being discussed on social media about the war, allowing for ongoing conversations about it. Talking to Children about War www.NCTSN.org