How to help your child calm down in shelter

What to do if the children in the shelter are scared, anxious, and listen to all the sounds?
Psychologists from Zaporuka advise:

• We prepare in advance. In a calm atmosphere, we discuss the algorithm of actions with the child. When we hear the siren, what we will take, where we will go, what we will do. We collect a backpack with water, something tasty, a favorite toy, pencils and a blanket from which we can make a cocoon or a hut and hide there.
• Let's move! The mechanism of stress is physical. So, when we are very anxious, we dance, breathe, jump, squat, play "crocodile" (we try to guess the word using pantomime).
• Let's play! For example, shadow play. Poor lighting in a bomb shelter is what you need for this. Playing is the easiest way to transform tension. Therefore, you can also put a flashlight in your backpack.
• We laugh! To do this, we start to compose a fairy tale together - each person speaks a sentence, continuing the previous person's phrase. It always turns out to be fun.
• Let's sing! In a bomb shelter, you can finally do it loudly, from the heart. Start, and others will not hesitate to join you. The feeling of unity has an extremely good effect on both adults and children.
• We don't focus on someone crying in the bomb shelter. If the child is interested, we calmly explain that sometimes even adults feel sad and want to cry.
• Let's hug! Many people need this first and foremost. But we always ask if we can hug or touch, because sometimes in a stressful situation people become hypersensitive. Such things can cause them discomfort.
• We control ourselves. We don't raise our voices at our child or snatch their tablet or phone from their hands if they're interested in something. If it helps them distract themselves, that's good.
• Remember. A child is a person. It is important for adults to show respect for them, for their physicality, personal space, feelings, and thoughts. If a child does not want something, do not force or insist on it.

Let's take care of ourselves!

Psychological support hotline fromPledges» the number 0 800 4000 23 is available:

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• throughout the territory of Ukraine
• from all mobile operators
• for calls from abroad +38 050 493 03 07
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