5. Specific Interventions

5.10. Seven Key Steps For Communicating With Children In Distress

  1. LET THE CHILD SET THE PACE. Children should not be forced to discuss or reveal experiences and the lead should always come from the child.
  2. GIVE ADEQUATE TIME TO THE CHILD. Do not expect the whole story to be revealed in one session.
  3. PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT. Give this to the child in whatever ways are appropriate to the child’s culture and stage of development.
  4. ACCEPT THE CHILD’S EMOTIONS. Accept all emotions, for example guilt or anger - even if they seem to you to be illogical reactions to the event.
  5. NEVER GIVE FALSE REASSURANCES. Helping the child to face the reality of her/his situation is almost always preferable to avoiding it, provided this is done in an atmosphere of trust and support.
  6. TALKING MAY PROVIDE SOLUTIONS. Talking about difficult situations may enable children to work out their own solution, especially in the case of older children and adolescents. Simply listening in an attentive and supportive way can be extremely helpful.
  7. SOME REGRESSION MAY BE NECESSARY. Regression is a return to behavior typical of younger children. Children or adolescents may need personal care, affection and physical contact more characteristic of younger children, in order to overcome the emotional problems they are facing.

Adapted from Action for the Rights of the Child