As adults, we are faced with complex global issues like war, poverty, racism, and inequality on a daily basis. While we may want to shield young children from these harsh realities, completely avoiding difficult topics can leave children confused or ill-prepared when they inevitably learn about them. With some care and wisdom, we can discuss weighty current events and social problems with children in an age-appropriate, constructive way. Here are some tips.
Choose the Right Time
Timing is important when broaching sensitive subjects with children. Wait until your child is calm and attentive. Make sure you are in the right headspace to have a thoughtful, patient discussion as well. Pick moments that lend themselves to talk, like during a long car ride, over a relaxed family dinner, or while reading books together. Follow your child’s lead too—if they ask questions about something they saw on the news or heard others discussing, that’s a good opportunity to open up dialogue.
Listen First
When talking about challenging issues, start by drawing out what a child already knows or thinks. Ask them open-ended questions to understand their existing feelings, perceptions, and concerns. Listen closely without judgement. For children you foster with Foster Care Associates Scotland, sensitively gauge what life experiences they may have already had related to the topic. Meet them where they are at in their awareness and emotional processing. Listening first prevents overwhelming them with too much information at once.
Keep Explanations Simple and Honest
Use direct, simple language appropriate for your child’s age when explaining global problems. For preschool-aged children, focus on relatable ideas like sadness, unfairness, or people being mean to each other. Avoid adult-level details or nuance that could frighten or confuse young children. But do give them the truth in basic terms—children can sense when we give vague, sugar-coated accounts. The goal is to help them grasp the essence of issues at their developmental level.
Acknowledge Difficult Feelings
Heavy issues like war, hunger, racism, or poverty can stir up big feelings in children, just like adults. Make space for them to share sadness, anxiety, or anger. Validate their emotions and respond with empathy. With older children, you can probe a bit deeper into why the issues provoke those feelings. But don’t expect small children to intellectually process complex tragedies. The main goal is helping them name and express their reactions. If a child gets very upset, offer comfort and reassurance while avoiding excessive details.
Instil Hope and Empathy
While we don’t want to deny harsh realities, dwelling only on the pain in the world can deeply dishearten kids. Counterbalance difficult discussions by emphasising the good in people and progress being made. Share stories of individuals helping others. Talk about things your family or community does to show kindness and make a difference, however small. Promote a sense of empathy and interconnectedness—we all share this world together. Make sure children understand that even when bad events happen, there are always people trying to make things better. Close conversations on a note of realistic hope.
Revisit and Discuss Over Time
One talk will likely not satisfy a child’s curiosity or confusion about major world issues. Revisit the topics as questions continue to arise. Expand a bit more on societal problems through an age-appropriate lens. Share new, constructive perspectives. Your goal is an ongoing, evolving conversation over years, not a single explain-it-all lecture. Allow the dialogue to develop organically in response to a child’s needs and growing comprehension.
Though talking about world suffering can be challenging, avoiding these realities leaves kids naïve and unable to engage meaningfully with society. With care and wisdom, we can help even young children begin to comprehend, constructively discuss, and show compassion towards global issues.