This topic is HOT right now with teachers. It is a hard discussion, but with so many kids on social media, they are bound to hear and see things that could make them emotional. Talking about war with children is a part of the job for parents and teachers. If a child asks about a war or something they saw on tv, chances are the other students have seen or heard about it also in your class. How much discussion of the topic is too much? What are the right ways to have the discussion with different grade levels?
If you teach primary students, I suggest you don’t bring up the topic on your own. Students who are unaware of the topic should not be pressed on what they know or don’t know. But if children of any age are talking about war with other children, it is important for you to support them. This might mean inviting the school counselor into your room for a discussion to keep students calm and compassionate. It could be you simply answering a few questions with facts and removing any stereotypes from their discussion. It is important to never villainize a culture or country.
The goal is to ensure students about their own safety and guide them to look for and to be helpful citizens. Creating a calming corner or area in your classroom for students to relax with breathing exercises is helpful for students who are showing anxiety from viewing war events.
Here are some other suggestions:
- Encourage students to talk to parents about it.
- Discuss things that you can control. For example, don’t watch the news.
- Avoid giving your opinion but allow them to express themselves so you can find out what they think or feel prior to any discussions.
- Ask questions like: “What have you seen or heard.”
- Remind them to look for people who are being helpful.
- Consider having a fundraiser for a charity so they can see how they can be helpful.
- Admit when you don’t know the answer to something
OLDER KIDS
Older students need and want to talk about what they see and how they are feeling. They still need guidance from adults to navigate emotions and thoughts in a productive way. Provide them a safe space to express themselves and to process information. Teachers need to be aware of the emotional impact this has on students and families. You can consider discussing the government or president’s role in shaping foreign policy, policy options to respond to war, geography, or lasting impacts from previous wars. You should give factual answers, reassurance, and admit when you don’t know something.