The Best Ways to Talk to Children About Sad News Events

Talking to your children about sad news events can be tricky. Here are good ways to talk to children about sad news.

Conversations with a seven or 8-year-old on current events are challenging. You don’t want to overwhelm your kid with knowledge, but you also don’t want to keep him in the dark about current events.

More than a third of the children’s population in the US are exposed to the distressing images and sounds that come from watching television newscasts daily, resulting from today’s 24/7 media environment.

Even though it’s impossible to shield your child from the outside world completely, you may take steps to ensure that he receives a healthy dose of realism.

To avoid stepping over the line, use the following strategies:

1. Choose the Correct Format

TV news is often the worst option for kids this age since it often re-runs the same terrible pictures, such as the footage of the Boston Marathon bombings or the devastation caused by a tornado. 

You might exacerbate children’s worry and anxiety if they believe that these unpleasant things are repeating over and over again. To expose your child to the realm of television news, you can record it and watch it later. 

Afterward, playback only the sections you want her to see. However, the best way to keep your youngster up to date on current events is to read newspapers, websites, and publications together.

2. Convey Relevance

The vastness of the universe often escapes children their age. They can’t tell the difference between what’s happening in the Middle East and what’s occurring in their own community. Make sure he understands how far away something is when you bring up bad news from another country.

3. Educate Your Youngster

When you have news, your child should hear it first from you.  Discuss a tragedy with your friend in advance if you believe it will be brought up in class or at your friend’s residence. 

What if she learns the news somewhere else? Get to know her before starting a conversation with her.

After that, clear up any misunderstandings and address any concerns she may have. As the week progresses, she may ask you additional questions because of the way children assimilate knowledge.

4. Highlight the Positives

The problem is that it doesn’t receive nearly enough attention as it merits. Make an effort to find stories that will inspire your child. Talking about happy events is a great way to teach your youngster about the world while fostering a positive outlook.

5. Take Action!

Action is what drives children. One of the finest ways to help children understand current events is to connect them to their own experiences. Evaluate how you and your family can assist individuals in need following a disaster. 

Your son may, for example, run a lemonade stand to raise money for the American Red Cross or make cards for children in hospitals. Getting involved will give him a deeper understanding of how he fits into the larger scheme of things.

Talking to your children about sad news events can be challenging, but with this information, you can now formulate a way to do it properly.

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