What Can Adults Do to Help Children Feel Safe?

Parents and caretakers can help restore children's sense of security by modeling calm and in-control behavior. It is crucial to provide opportunities for children to discuss their concerns and to help them separate real from imagined fears. It is also important to limit exposure to media coverage of military operations and acts of violence. Parents can help their children by sharing facts about current events and explaining how these events do or do not impact their lives. The amount of detail that children need in order to understand how war might come about and how it might realistically affect their lives will vary with their level of development and personal circumstances.

If your children seem to need help beyond what is normally available at home or school, seek mental health services in your community. School psychologists, counselors and social workers can help identify appropriate services and help with the referral process. For most children, adults can provide adequate support by the following actions:

Acknowledge children's feelings

Help children to feel personally safe

Help children maintain a sense of control by taking some action

Keep adult issues from overwhelming children

 

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