麻豆社

With stories on Covid and Ukraine, the news cycle can seem distressing even for kids who are too young to pay attention to it, they can still pick up on anxiety amongst family and friends. What can you say to reassure them when you don't know the answers yourself?

Is the news cycle making children anxious? Consultant Clinical Psychologist Jane Gilmour tells us that children may be more aware of the news than we think, and shares tips for comforting them in the face of uncertainty.

* Translate stories they're hearing into language they'll understand
* Open up the topic to see what's on their mind, "What do you want to know?", rather than, "What are you worried about?".
* Be calm as you go about your daily life - your kid will find that more reassuring than offering an answer you can't guarantee (ie, "Everything's going to be alright.").

And for older children:
* They will want to discover information for themselves and their peers. So teach them to critically evaluate the information. Praise them for finding this and show interest in it by watching or reading it together - and even fact check it with them.
* If kids are naturally anxious, they will need strategies to help them cope. Have a regular check in time, and ask your kid to write, draw, or record what they're worried about and you can go through things together.
* Teach them how to hold on to worries, and then talk through them with an adult.

Photo: A mum talks to a stressed teen Credit: Getty Images

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