The news of the atrocities suffered by the people of Ukraine following Russia’s recent invasion can be difficult for adults to make sense of. Many of us feel great empathy and compassion for their plight and we do this in the context of the wider political picture of Russian international relations, not least in Ukraine.
Yet for children and young people these events can be puzzling and frightening, and the information out there that might appear to explain what’s going on can be riddled with untruths and deliberate attempts to mislead.
So as a teacher what do you do? Is it even in your remit to do anything?
Listen to concerns…
HCPC registered Educational and Child Psychologist, Author and Educational Consultant, Dr Tina Rae, has sound advice for schools seeking to support children though this major international event (and much of it applies to other world events too). She said, “Many of our children will have questions about war and will express heightened levels of anxiety due to the fact that they’re witnessing so much of it via the news and social media outlets. We can’t control, to any great extent, the level to which they do access this kind of information, but what we can do is listen to their concerns and address them in a factual manner, supporting them to ‘fact check’ and find the most accurate sources of information.”
Navigate disinformation
While the internet is an incredibly rich and empowering tool in the age of information, it can also be a minefield of disinformation. Helping young people to navigate that is key. It is also important to help children to find something they can do. Feeling powerless adds to the distress, while supporting in a practical way – raising money or donating needed items for example – can help to dissipate that distress.
Dr Rae explained, “What causes most anxiety is the fear that somehow or other, the war will end up on our own doorstep. Children are constantly asking ‘but what if the Russian army come here and try to take our country from us?’ The ‘but what if’ questions are probably what concern us adults the most. We want to be able to give our young people the certainty that of course none of this could possibly ever happen. However, we ultimately know from past history of two world wars that this is not the case. However, what is important is to point out the fact that to this day, NATO and the European Union have most certainly ensured peace in our time.”
Education, education, education
Giving children historical facts about the conflict will build their knowledge and consequently may ease their distress to an extent. But it remains essential to listen to their concerns and act on them where necessary. As Dr Rae explained, “We also need to be very clear about addressing their anxieties, ensuring that they really do feel listened to and that we gently challenge some of their more catastrophic thinking. I always use tools for cognitive behaviour therapy, asking what the evidence is for and against this question or thought they might have. I also prompt young people to take control themselves, reducing their exposure to social media, fact checking anything that they do hear, and keeping connected with us adults and with their friends who can listen emphatically and reassure them as and when they need this kind of support.”
Educating against hate
If we are to empower children and young people as they respond to the events happening in their world, we need to be able to explain, and help to prevent, the causes of conflict. Ultimately, any education about conflict needs to go hand in hand with educating against hate.
There are some very useful sources of support for when you are addressing concerns connected with Ukraine and helping children and young people to make sense of what is going on. These ideas may help:
- Dr Tina Rae is holding a free webinar on talking to children and young people about war and about supporting refugee children on 4th More information here: Event: How to talk to children and young people about war | Understanding and supporting our Refugee children (A free webinar led by Dr Tina Rae) – Evidence for Learning
- Look for the Helpers – supporting our children in traumatic times Presented by Dr Tina Rae - YouTube
- Refugee support plan by Dr Tina Rae: Refugee Support Plan by Dr Tina Rae - YouTube
- Posters for welcoming Ukrainian children and young people can be found here: Refugee Posters Style3.pdf (dropbox.com)
- How to talk to your teenager about the invasion of Ukraine: tips for parents and carers - Parents' Toolkit - BBC Bitesize
- Resources for talking to children and young people about war in Ukraine | The East Midlands Education Support Service (em-edsupport.org.uk)
- Newsround has gathered all its content on the war in Ukraine here: Home - CBBC Newsround
- Resources from Children in Need: Useful resources for talking about Ukraine and Russia - BBC Children in Need
- Resources for Talking to Children and Young People about the War in Ukraine (hundred.org)
- Ukraine: Three ways you can help – HOPE not hate
About the author
Elizabeth Holmes
After graduating with a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading, Elizabeth Holmes completed her PGCE at the Institute of Education, University of London. She then taught humanities and social sciences in schools in London, Oxfordshire and West Sussex, where she ran the history department in a challenging comprehensive. Elizabeth specialises in education but also writes on many other issues and themes. As well as her regular blogs for Eteach and FEjobs, her books have been published by a variety of publishers and translated around the world. Elizabeth has also taught on education courses in HE and presented at national and international conferences.
