10 Tips on Talking to Kids About War 

To help children and families cope with the worries surrounding the war and ongoing world tensions, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers these tips for responding to children's emotional needs during these difficult times.

• Parents and caregivers should take care of themselves first. Children depend on the adults around them to feel safe and secure. If you are very anxious or upset, children are likely to be more affected by your emotional state than your words.
• Ask what your child has already heard about the events and what understanding he has reached. As your child explains, listen for misinformation, misconceptions, and underlying fears or concerns.
• It is important to communicate to children that they are safe. Parents should try to assure children that they have done everything they can to ensure their safety. Adults can tell children that we hope the war will end quickly, and that here at home, parents, teachers, caregivers and national leaders are doing everything possible to protect them.
• Parents might want to watch for signs of stress in their child, such as irritability, sleep disturbances or nightmares, or changes in appetite, hyperactivity, social withdrawal or obsessive play related to a disturbing event.
• Adults should be sensitive to the fact that children whose family members or friends are directly involved in the war or are in the military will be more directly affected.
• Not all children will appear to be affected by news of war. For some children, especially younger ones, it is not helpful to "force the issue" if it does not appear to have an impact.
• Explain events as simply and directly as possible. The amount of information that will be helpful to a child depends on her age. Because every child is different, take cues from your own child as to how much information to provide.
• Overexposure to media coverage of war, violence and terrorism can be harmful to children of all ages. Children and adolescents should not watch coverage of traumatic events alone, and such viewing should be limited, especially for young children. For older children, try to watch with them and use the opportunity to discuss what is being seen and how it makes you and your child feel.
• Help your child to identify concrete actions he can take to help those affected by recent events.
• If you have concerns about your child's behavior, contact your child's pediatrician, other primary care provider, or a qualified mental health care specialist for assistance. And if you are having trouble coping with your own worries and emotions, seek professional help and support.

Some of these tips are excerpted from the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence, Yale Child Study Center. For more tips from AAP, go to AAP Children & Disasters Page.