How do kids react to news about war?
A child’s age and ability to understand information partly determines his/her reaction. Preschool children confuse facts with their fantasies and fear of danger. They do not yet have the ability to keep events in perspective and may be unable to block out troubling thoughts. They may not realize that a single incident is rebroadcast and so may think it’s happening repeatedly and many more people are involved than is the case. School age children can understand the difference between fantasy and reality but may have trouble keeping them separate during times of stress and uncertainty. They may also be susceptible to rumors. They may equate a scene from a scary movie with news footage and think that the news events are worse than they really are. In addition, the graphic and immediate nature of the news makes it seem as if the conflict is close to home – perhaps around the corner. Middle school and high school age children may be interested and intrigued by the politics of a situation an
