In wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began last Thursday (24 February), reports suggest that more than 500,000 people, many of which are women and children, have fled their homes in Ukraine to Poland and other neighbouring countries.
It is thought that hundreds of civillians in the country have lost their lives, including children, and thousands have been wounded since the start of the invasion.
While Ukrainian and Russian officials have met today (28 February) for talks for the first time, Major cities in Ukraine – including Kyiv, Kharkiv and Chernihiv – remain under attack from Russian forces.
Many of those still in the country have sought safety in makeshift bomb shelters, bunkers and underground tunnels.
On the weekend, it emerged a nursery school in Eastern Ukraine had been hit by shelling.
To help children and families displaced by the invasion, many nurseries across the UK are calling on parents and their local communities to donate essential items such as nappies and clothes to send to Ukraine and neighbouring countries where many temporarily reside.
Among those collecting items is Portico Nursery Group, and Stepping Stones Nursery in Totton, Southampton – part of Naturally Curious Childcare.
Meanwhile, Oakhill Day Nursery in West Yorkshire is encouraging parents whose children are dressing up for World Book day on Thursday (3 March) to donate £1 to Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis fund.
The charity, which has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, has also published tips, put together by experts, on how to talk to children about conflict, they are:
- Make time and listen when your child wants to talk
Give children the space to tell you what they know, how they feel and to ask you questions. They may have formed a completely different picture of the situation than you have. Take the time to listen to what they think, and what they have seen or heard.
- Tailor the conversation to the child
Be mindful of the child’s age as you approach the conversation with them. Young children may not understand what conflict or war means and require an age-appropriate explanation. Be careful not to over-explain the situation or go into too much detail as this can make children unnecessarily anxious. Younger children may be satisfied just by understanding that sometimes countries fight. Older children are more likely to understand what war means but may still benefit from talking with you about the situation. In fact, older children will often be more concerned by talk of war because they tend to understand the dangers better than younger children do.
- Validate their feelings.
It is important that children feel supported in the conversation. They should not feel judged or have their concerns dismissed. When children have the chance to have an open and honest conversation about things upsetting them, it can create a sense of relief and safety.
- Reassure them that adults all over the world are working hard to resolve this
Remind children that this is not their problem to solve. They should not feel guilty about playing, seeing their friends, and doing the things that make them happy. Stay calm when you approach the conversation. Children often copy the sentiments of their caregivers – if you are uneasy about the situation, chances are your child will be uneasy as well.
- Give them a practical way to help
Support children who want to help. Children who have the opportunity to help those affected by the conflict can feel like they are part of the solution. Children can create fundraisers, send letters to local decision-makers or create drawings calling for peace.