How to cope with the current situation and how to work with it with children and young people? A summary of recommendations for pupils, parents, teachers and the wider public.

Exactly a week ago, the world changed for all of us into one that most of us do not recognise. We have lost our sense of safety and certainty. Feelings of fear and uncertainty have become part of our lives.

Every war is evil, whatever its reasons. We too express our sadness over the situation in Ukraine and reject resolving any conflicts through the suffering and pain of innocent people. We also think of children and young people as well as everyone affected by this war. We are all in this together and we want to help in various ways too. That is why we have prepared an overview of advice and tips on how to approach the topic of war and how to cope with these difficult times. 

The recommendations and infographics below were prepared by the education sector: the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport, IPčko, LOCIKA – centre for children at risk of domestic violence, the Slovak Chamber of Psychologists, the Association of School Psychology and the School Psychology Portal in response to the situation that has arisen.

General recommendations for coping with this situation better
Recommendations for pupils
Recommendations for teachers
How to talk to children about war – a selection of recommendations from IPčko psychologists:
  • find out what information about the war your child currently has; if they have picked up only fragments, talking together will help them better understand what is happening,
  • talk to your child in an age-appropriate but honest way,
  • if they do not feel like talking about it with you for now, give them time and reassure them that you are there for them and ready to open the topic whenever they wish, 
  • be patient and answer questions even repeatedly; reassure them that they will understand what is happening, 
  • try to limit media coverage, reports and news in the presence of younger children, who cannot process their content and may become frightened by it; with teenagers, try to talk about the news they have seen and the feelings it has stirred up, 
  • be attentive to your child, notice changes and respond to them, 
  • do not let yourself or your children be left alone with your feelings; talk about them together, but also individually and with people you trust,
  • encourage compassion, solidarity, acceptance, kindness, meaning, and the ways of helping people affected by the war, 
  • get involved and spread the message of help to people together as a family – contribute to a fundraiser, donate toys or other things that are needed, 
  • praise your child for such a gesture – they are giving everything they have, 
  • reinforce the idea that conflicts can be resolved in other ways and that violence is not the only way, and certainly not the right one, 
  • avoid forecasts and assumptions about the war, so that you reduce your child's fear of war and of losing their sense of safety, 
  • give your child a sense of safety, verbally and non-verbally (with a hug, a stroke, a kiss, etc.)

More tips can be found in the infographics below in the gallery.

Useful, freely available sources of further information

Mental Health League of the SR – crisis manual  

https://dusevnezdravie.sk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dusevnezdravie.sk-manual-liga-1.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1C8nnKtrsiVkr-NHfsB-jyCSlYvooY8mdKeso6Dnfrd7CRlyz4NuXxXy8

Ministry of Education support materials
https://www.minedu.sk/29993-sk/situacia-na-ukrajine/?fbclid=IwAR0zVsSdMsJiybdlAUbZicgqSFDhM-gRykH59qWmN2nUdzqPjYzDeVC7_c4

Podcast – How to talk about the war in Ukraine in front of children?  

https://vudpap.sk/ako-hovorit-o-vojne-na-ukrajine-pred-detmi/

Comenius Institute – recording of the webinar How to explain war to children?  

https://www.facebook.com/Komenskehoinstitut/videos/325062993009089

Iuventa – Slovak Youth Institute – recording of the webinar How to talk to children and young people about war?

https://www.facebook.com/iuventa/videos/302226771920470

State Pedagogical Institute – recording of the webinar How to talk to pupils about a war conflict beyond our borders?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzMlAXlWiFM

Junák – Czech Scouting (non-profit organisation) – discussion (Jak) mluvit s dětmi o válce?

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=415695000357738

Useful infographics

The timewe are living through is exceptionally difficult, so let us be considerate towards one another, take care of ourselves, our physical and mental health and our loved ones, and show solidarity and help to people affected by the war conflict. We have countless options.