The world is a scary place, and every day the news, whether online or on the TV, reiterates this.

 

And while we do try to shield our children from the majority of bad and frightening news, they do have a tendency to hear and pick things up; which means it is important we know how to talk to them about it.

 

Here are five ways you can help your youngster:

 

Ask them questions

You won’t know how much they’ve taken in of what they’ve seen if you don't ask, so it is important you ask them questions to get an understanding of what they saw or heard. Asking things like ‘what do you think’ or ‘what did you see?’ can give you an idea of what they need explained.

 

Use it as a teaching moment

When they do see things that frighten them, don't try to ignore it, instead use it as a teaching moment; talking about how they can help those affected, what is right and wrong in general and how to show compassion towards others will help your youngster to deal with the next frightening news they hear.

 

Encourage them to be open

It is important you encourage your child to open up about what they are frightened about. Tell them it's ok to feel scared, and talk about your own feelings so they feel better able to manage their own. 

 

Be wary of their age when discussing things with them

While a simple answer can settle a younger child’s curiosity, an older child will usually look for a more detailed answer and have more questions. Keep things clear yet simple and only give information on a need to know basis – don’t bombard them with the events just answer their questions.

 

Reassure them

It is important you offer your child reassurance that they aren’t in danger. A hurricane in another country can cause them to become frightened of the wind at home, so make sure you tell them that they are safe and that it’s far away.

 

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