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Children are exposed to various forms of personal tragedies and also increasingly to disturbing news through various media channels. For psychologists and social workers, it is crucial to understand the importance of discussing these sensitive topics with children in a competent and compassionate manner. This article will explore the significance of this communication and what professionals can do to further improve on their communication skills.
When communicating with young people in distress, expert communication is important for a number of reasons:
Although all of us speak with children every day, every situation demands its own approach, especially when kids are in a tight spot and the stakes rise. Talking to children about tragedies can be difficult for several reasons:
Understanding of Death and Tragedy: Younger children might not fully understand concepts such as death or serious harm. They might not grasp the permanence of death or the severity of certain tragedies, making it hard for them to comprehend the situation.
Emotional Maturity: Children often lack the emotional maturity to handle intense feelings such as grief, fear, or anxiety that can arise from discussing tragic events. They may respond with confusion, fear, or extreme sadness, which can be difficult for adults to manage.
Shielding from Pain: Adults often feel a strong urge to protect children from the harsh realities of the world. They fear that exposing children to tragic events might cause unnecessary fear or anxiety, or might even shatter their sense of security.
Difficult Concepts: Explaining concepts like violence, injustice, cruelty, or natural disasters can be challenging. Children's understanding of the world is much simpler, and they might struggle to understand why such things happen.
Communication Gap: Children and adults don't always speak the same language, metaphorically speaking. Adults must simplify and carefully phrase their explanations to make them understandable to children, which can be a challenging task.
Unpredictable Reactions: Children might react in unpredictable ways to news of a tragedy. They might seem unaffected, become unusually quiet, have trouble sleeping, or start acting out, causing adults to worry about whether they've handled the conversation correctly.
These challenges can make it difficult for adults to discuss tragic events with children, but it's not impossible. With careful consideration, sensitivity, reassurance, and honesty, adults can help children understand and process tragic events in a healthy way.
Dr. Jeff Temple, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch, has extensively studied the impact of media exposure and personal tragedies on children's mental health. His work has provided valuable insights into how mental health professionals can best address these topics with children. Some key takeaways from Dr. Temple's research include active listening, a tailored approach and offering reassurance and support. Active listening involves being attentive, asking open-ended questions, and allowing the child to express their thoughts without judgment. Active listening helps children feel heard and valued, which is crucial for their emotional well-being.
Recognizing that each child is unique automatically implies the importance of customizing communication strategies based on the child's age, developmental level, and emotional state. This individualized approach ensures that the conversation is both relevant and accessible, enabling the child to better understand and process the information. Providing reassurance and support during these conversations involves validating the child's feelings, offering comfort, and emphasizing that they are not alone. By doing so, professionals like psychologists, social workers, counselors and educators can help alleviate anxiety and fear, fostering a sense of safety and stability.
For all those who work with children, it is vital to learn how to effectively communicate with children about personal tragedies and disturbing news. By adopting expert techniques, such as those suggested by Jeff Temple, professionals can help children process these events, build resilience, and foster trust. Ultimately, this skilled communication is a crucial component of promoting the emotional and psychological well-being of children.
Jeff Temple teaches an online masterclass titled "Talking with Kids about Personal and Global Tragedy" in which he will elaborate on his viewpoints and methods.
Dr. Jeff Temple is a professor, licensed psychologist, and the Vice Dean for Research and Scholarship for the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he also holds the John Sealy Distinguished Chair in Community Health. As the Founding Director of the Center for Violence Prevention, his research focuses on the prevention of interpersonal and community violence. He has over 250 scholarly publications in a variety of high-impact journals including JAMA, JAMA Pediatrics, The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, Pediatrics, and the Journal of Adolescent Health. He recently co-edited a book on adolescent dating violence, co-chaired the Texas Task Force on Domestic Violence, serves on the board of the Society for Prevention Research, and served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Psychological Association.
His work has been featured on Forbes, CNN, New York Times, TIME Magazine, Washington Post, and even the satirical website, The Onion.
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