Wars Are Bad and Sad: Explaining Wars to Young Children

Explaining war to children can be challenging, but it's important to

approach the topic with sensitivity. If you think this article would be useful

fora friend with children (or a teacher) to read, send them an email

recommending this article==> Click here. Here's a simplified, point-form

explanation suitable for young children:

Wars are fights between countries or groups:

Sometimes, people in different places disagree or can't get along.

Instead of talking and finding a solution, they might use force,

like fighting or using weapons.

People have different opinions:

Just like friends or family may have different ideas, countries can too.

Instead of working together, they may choose to fight.

Not all problems are solved peacefully:

*Ideally, countries should talk and negotiate to solve their problems.

*Unfortunately, sometimes they make bad choices and start fighting.

War causes sadness and destruction:

😭When there is war, many people get hurt, and buildings and homes

can be damaged.

😭It makes people sad and can take a long time for things to get better.

Hope for peace:

🕊People around the world work hard to stop wars and help countries

get along.

🕊We want a world where everyone can live peacefully and happily.

Children can make a difference:

💕Even though you're young, you can help create a better world by being kind,

understanding, and promoting peace.

💕Learning about different cultures and making friends from around

the world helps build a more peaceful future. (See the Global Friends

Program for concrete ways for children put peace into practice.)

💕Always adapt the explanation based on the child's age, level of

understanding, and emotional readiness.

💕Encourage questions and be prepared to offer reassurance. 

  What they hear:

Children listen in and catch parts of what is being talked about between others and on the

various media presentations. Here are some words and concepts that

you might want to bone up on yourself and share the meanings

you understand with your children.

War:

- Describes the conflict between countries or groups.

Conflict Resolution:

-Highlights the findings of peaceful solutions to disagreements.

Negotiation:

-Emphasizes the need for talking and compromising instead of fighting.

Peace:

- Represents the ideal state of harmony and lack of conflict.

Diplomacy:

-Involves discussions and negotiations between countries to avoid war.

Understanding Differences:

-Encourages the idea that people may have different opinions but

can still get along.

Global Co-operation:

-Emphasizes the cooperation of countries working together for a

better world.

Empathy:

- Involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others, promoting

compassion.

Humanitarian Efforts:

- Represents actions taken to alleviate suffering and promote human

welfare during conflicts.

Building a Better World:

- Encourages positive actions, kindness and efforts to create a more

peaceful and harmonious world.

50 Bible verses in plain English that can help us

to make this World a Better Place

Kids For Peace / The Global Friends Program