Children may need extra reassurance because of the events in Ukraine and fears of a nuclear conflict. The extreme nature of the crisis means that specialist techniques should be looked at by carers.
Mike Hughesman, a former principal educational psychologist for Service Children's Education who has worked with children whose parents and caregivers are in active combat in Afghanistan and Germany, said that it is vital that we source advice.
He said that too much advice was based on the study of patients who found it hard to cope with adversity.
Hughesman said solution-focused therapy gives people the ability to seek out what helps them succeed.
There are several Ukrainian charities working on the ground and one of them is Sunflower of Peace, which helps paramedics and doctors.
United Help Ukraine focuses on providing medical supplies and humanitarian aid.
The aim of the group is to help children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine by providing support through art therapy, psychologists, video storytellers and other methods.
The British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal. The charity will be updating its website with news on the work it is doing and how support will be used to help people.
Support local journalism.
English-language news outlets based in the country, such as Kyiv Independent and New Voice of Ukraine, are covering developments on the ground as the conflict unfolds. The Kyiv Independent says it was created by journalists. Many local journalists in Ukraine are covered on this site.
Write to your local lawmaker.
This can be a way to get the British government to place more sanctions on the Russian government. You can get in touch with your local lawmaker by email or post. Instructions on how to get in touch can be found on parliament.uk.
","credit":"","pillar":0}">Local charities should be supported. There are several Ukrainian charities working on the ground and one of them is Sunflower of Peace, which helps paramedics and doctors. United Help Ukraine focuses on providing medical supplies and humanitarian aid. The aim of the group is to help children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine by providing support through art therapy, psychologists, video storytellers and other methods. The British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal. The charity will be updating its website with news on the work it is doing and how support will be used to help people. Support local journalism. English-language news outlets based in the country, such as Kyiv Independent and New Voice of Ukraine, are covering developments on the ground as the conflict unfolds. The Kyiv Independent says it was created by journalists. Many local journalists in Ukraine are covered on this site. Write to your local lawmaker. This can be a way to get the British government to place more sanctions on the Russian government. You can get in touch with your local lawmaker by email or post. Instructions on how to get in touch can be found on parliament.uk.Quick GuideShow
He said that parents and caregivers need to deal with their children's emotions first and then look at the facts as the children see them. He said that the next step was to help children stay grounded through routines.
Prof Hill warned that fake news on social media can make the situation feel more frightening and unpredictable than it already is.
She said it was important to talk to children in a way that reflected their age and understanding.
Don't overcomplicate things for younger children. Younger children may want to discuss historical events. Reliable sources can be used to support this process. Children are best supported by people they can trust, but they may feel too frightened to ask, so be sensitive to their mood.
She said to try to remain optimistic, that nobody wants there to be a nuclear attack, and that everything possible will be done to find a safer way to resolve the conflict.
To remain optimistic, Hill said it was important for parents and caregivers to be aware of their own feelings and to get support from friends and family.
It is important for a child to be reassured that all countries have nuclear weapons held in very safe ways and that they are not going to use them, as advised by a forensic psychologist with a special interest in families.
Encourage the child to join CND, ask for a school assembly on the subject, and contribute to a campaign or fundraiser.
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