Should children be protected from grim news? Headlines about horrific events are extremely difficult to avoid. But there are steps you can take to make them easier to cope with.
Experts advise how to talk to young about war
Should children be protected from grim news? Headlines about horrific events are extremely difficult to avoid. But there are steps you can take to make them easier to cope with.
Amirah looks at the newspaper headline in despair. "IsraeliFrom Israel, a country in the Middle East. Just over 70% of its population is Jewish, while 20% is Arab. troops mass on GazaThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. border as HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. attack death toll hits 1,000," it reads.1 How can she talk to her daughter about such terrible things?
This is a round-up of the latest advice:
1. Be open Do not pretend that an awful event has not happened - children will find out about it one way or another.
2. Explain what happened It is easier to cope with a terrible event if you understand it properly. Ask what they already know, answer their questions and dismiss false rumours.
3. Choose a good time and place Difficult subjects are best discussed where people feel safe - for instance, in the kitchen at home.
4. Ask how they feel Bear in mind that the things that worry them most may not be the same things that worry you - so you need to find out what those things are.
5. Take them seriously Telling them that their anxieties are silly is not going to help. You need to provide good reasons why they are misguided.
6. Remember their age Children react differently to things according to their age and experience. The older they are, the more detailed your answers to their questions will need to be.
7 Reassure them Remind them that they have lots of people protecting them from danger.
8 Be positive Many people feel helpless in the face of a major tragedy. Talk about what can be done for those who have suffered most, such as sending messages of support.
9 Contain anger With man-made tragedies it is natural to feel very angry with the people responsible. But it is important to remember that those who carry out terrorist or criminal acts are individuals. They do not represent a particular race or religion, even if they claim to. Other members of that group should be left in peace and protected from bullying.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Should children be protected from grim news?</strong></h5>
Yes: To cope with awful things, people need to understand them - and for very young children that is difficult, if not impossible. Graphic images can be so disturbing that they cause recurring nightmares.
No: We live in a news-saturated age, so it is completely unrealistic to pretend that a major tragedy has not happened. It is much better to explain the facts of the matter and dismiss fake news.
Or... Even for adults, it is hard to get a clear idea of a major tragedy while it is happening. Rather than picking up scraps of information on social media, you should wait for a trustworthy report.
Israeli - From Israel, a country in the Middle East. Just over 70% of its population is Jewish, while 20% is Arab.
Gaza - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt.
Hamas - A militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
Experts advise how to talk to young about war

Glossary
Israeli - From Israel, a country in the Middle East. Just over 70% of its population is Jewish, while 20% is Arab.
Gaza - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt.
Hamas - A militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.