How to Explain War to Children

From the Middle East to Ukraine, from Tehran and Tel Aviv to Kiev, from the criminal massacre orchestrated by Hamas in southern Israel to the retaliation in the Gaza Strip ordered by the Israeli government and transformed into the extermination of a people: the winds of war are blowing fiercely right to our doorstep. Conflicts are no longer distant and distinct from us, but we feel them within our lives. And this is especially true for the younger generations, who grew up unable to even imagine a war of this scale and intensity, and with so many risks for everyone.

What to do? How to tell and explain the war (there are many wars, but they all belong to a single world that has entered a phase of global conflict) to children? The only certainty lies in the premise: we cannot remain silent, not even with them.

Children have the right to understand what war means, the destruction it brings, and why in the global world, any conflict, even the one that seems most distant, always occurs "within our own backyard." And nowhere else. Gradual action, sensitivity, fouria: but answers must be given, even in the gravity of the situation, without hiding it.

Index of topics

What to tell children about war

The atrocities of war are complex to explain. You'd rather never talk about them with children. Yet, when news, photos, videos, or reports from the front—such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the bombings and missiles between Israel and Iran, and the massacre in the Gaza region—appear everywhere, it becomes almost impossible to ignore them. Little ones immediately perceive theanxiety and the fear felt by older children, and at the same time, they understand whether what they're being told is sincere. And that's why we need to be as gentle and authentic as possible. But how can we most effectively explain war to children without amplifying their emotions?

First of all, when you want to broach a topic like this, it's best to listen to children's concerns and then try to provide relevant answers. Therefore, when dealing with young children, it's best to explain the war by reading fairy tales that mention it, or through children's books that fictionalize it and are presented from an emotional rather than practical perspective.

Educating for diversity

Children, especially preschoolers, should be shielded from difficult and difficult topics to discuss, so that news like war doesn't negatively impact their emotional state. However, it's also true that younger generations, if excluded from certain realities, may lack empathy for their surroundings in the future. This can, in fact, lead to social problems that could lead to aapathy and a disregard for the conditions of those in difficulty and seeking help.

To prevent this from happening, we need to educate children that war is far from necessary. Rather, it is a choice, just as war is a choice. helping others, to show solidarity or make peace. And this can only happen in one way: by educating people about mutual respect, teaching the importance of values and the arduous pursuit of human rights, and introducing children to cohesion, cultural diversity, and sharing.

Clear explanations

As you might imagine, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to explaining war to children. At the same time, it's also wrong to try to provide a superficial solution. Indeed, a topic of this magnitude cannot be expressed in generic and hasty terms. This is because children need a clear, concise, and factual explanation of what armed conflict is and what it entails, albeit in a sensitive, empathetic, and, above all, emotional manner. For example, it's best to leave out the topic of death unless the children specifically ask. Furthermore, try to find appropriate answers that are relevant to children, using comparisons such as an event that occurred within the family or among schoolmates.

Save The Children's advice

Active in the field for decades to offer humanitarian relief in any place tormented by war, hunger and plagues of this world, Save The Children It is a glimmer of hope in all countries in difficulty. In this regard, this No profit he expressed some the practical advice su How to explain war to children.

First of all, it is important select family news and explain them clearly to children without letting the multitude of anxiety-provoking communications devastate their psyches. In particular, it's better to understand what they already know about the subject and, if necessary, implement their knowledge or correct inaccuracies learned elsewhere. A very effective method is also to suggest books on war and peace. Save The Children He also recommends that schools dedicate time to educational information on the topic of war. Finally, personal stories have a profound impact on people. For this reason, it is recommended let peers tell their stories.

Tips for talking to children about war

The English newspaper The day He published some tips for talking to children about war.

Explain what is happening, trying to isolate the fake news
Choose the right time, certainly not before going to sleep
Check how they are feeling, and if they are particularly upset
Don't speak through judgments and certainties. Dig into doubts.
Be open to dialogue, even if you hear some heresy.
Don't underestimate their thoughts, but take their age into account.
Reassure them
Be positive, using the argument of optimism of will
Contain your anger, even in the face of the most blatant abuses.
Remember some analogies with other pages of history

Thoughts on War for Children

When faced with war and hostilities, it seems like nothing can express this pain without affecting children. But some have attempted to offer some explanations to reach even the youngest. Here are some: three thoughts on war for children:

There are things you should never do,
neither day nor night,
neither by sea nor by land:
for example, war

Gianni Rodari

There has never been a good war or a bad peace

Benjamin Franklin

Tolerance is the virtue that makes peace possible. And only children practice it.

How to explain war to children