It's important for children to have the support of their parents in expressing their feelings and understanding the facts about difficult topics. Open dialogue established with the right approach can help children cope with their problems. Talking about topics such as natural disasters, illness, moving, death, divorce, and violence can help children cope with these difficult realities. So, what should we pay attention to when talking about these topics? Here are some things to consider.
Children quickly pick up on what is happening around them. Even if they are not aware of it, they have already begun to worry about anything that is going wrong. Therefore, it is very important to help them express what they feel and what they know.
Children may have many questions about the subject. Considering that children can easily perceive stress through body language and tone of voice, you may prefer to wait a while before answering in such a situation.
It is not correct to act as if nothing is wrong, to lie, or to evade the issue in difficult situations. However, it is important to try to give short, clear, and understandable answers without going into too much detail. Children have the right to know what is happening, but it is also the responsibility of adults to keep them away from intense stress.
One of the most basic criteria for instilling trust is to share accurate information with them from reliable sources. You can ask what you can do for them to feel safe and try to alleviate their concerns about a specific topic.
Empathy and compassion are necessary to understand the emotions of children regarding difficult topics and to create an environment where they can express their feelings. Difficult topics can bring tension and anger. It is very important, even critical, not to use phrases that involve discrimination, hatred, or prejudice during your dialogue with them.
Focusing on the good things alongside difficult topics can positively affect a child's mood. You can remind a child of the beautiful things and the good people around them and show examples of cooperation.
One of the best ways to talk about a difficult topic is to support the child with books or cartoons that handle difficult topics in an age-appropriate way. You can ensure that visual and literary products produced for children are accessible to them, and thus help them explore events in the most appropriate way for their own world and developmental process.
Talking to children about difficult topics prepares them for important realities in their lives. With open dialogue, empathy and compassion, focusing on the good things, and benefiting from the work of support organizations, you can create a positive impact on children's lives.