With the invasion of Ukraine, this past week has been an especially difficult one. Young children and teenagers may experience a range of emotions when they hear about and process information about these deeply unsettling events.
Adults have a key role to play in helping children to make sense of the world and feel safe. Below are some resources to support conversations with youth about troubling events they are hearing about online and through social and traditional media.
Resource from the District’s Safe and Caring Schools Team
Speaking with Children – Traumatic Events in the Media
One page of curated support with a focus on the local community, including a link to resources in Burnaby.
Helping Kids Cope with Media Coverage of War and Traumatic Events
Advice from MediaSmarts, Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy, co-prepared by a Canadian children’s hospital psychiatrist.
Resources from the Ministry of Education
How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War
Common Sense Media gathers tips and conversation starters to help talk to kids of different ages about the toughest topics.
Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children
This article from the American Psychological Association can help adults guide their young children beyond fear and to resilience.
Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children
The American Psychological Association breaks out tips and strategies for parents and teachers of middle school-aged children.
How to Talk with Students about the Russia-Ukraine War
Includes 5 tips to help teachers and principals talk to students thoughtfully and appropriately about what is going on in Ukraine.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Provides resources that can be filtered by topic or keyword and by audience with a focus on how adults can identify traumatic responses in young people and how to support them.
Message from the Superintendent
On March 1, Superintendent Gina Niccoli-Moen sent a letter home to families. Please click on the image to read it in full. *
* Kindly note that the original version of this letter referred to Ukraine as “the Ukraine.” We regret and apologize for this error.
Posted March 2022