Empowering Young Minds
As parents, we often find ourselves juggling the demands of daily life—balancing work, household duties, and caregiving responsibilities—while also trying to nurture our children’s development. Amidst these pressures, it can be challenging to find the time or energy to engage with our kids about current events and the world around them. Our instinct is to shield them from difficult or complex issues to ensure their safety and well-being. However, it’s equally important to provide our children with safe, age-appropriate exposure to what’s happening in the world. Doing so not only broadens their understanding but also prepares them to navigate the challenges they will inevitably face as they grow. Finding the right balance between protection and awareness is key to raising informed, empathetic, and resilient children.
As a mother, my family values are important, and I model them every day to help my children understand what is right and wrong. However, some issues in the world are so big and complex that they can be hard for us to make sense of, let alone explain to our children. It may seem like a daunting and even overwhelming responsibility to expose you child to UK and Global current affairs, but rest assured, there are plenty of child-friendly news resources available to support us as parents. These resources are designed to present current events in a way that is both accessible and appropriate for young audiences, making it easier for us to introduce our children to the world around them without exposing them to unnecessary fear or confusion.
Why is this important?
Introducing your child to current events is a powerful tool for helping them feel connected to the world across various platforms. It encourages them to think critically about broader issues, exposing them to diverse perspectives and complex topics. This not only fosters their confidence to question assumptions and form their own opinions but also nurtures empathy and compassion as they learn about the struggles and experiences of others.
Staying informed about local and global events broadens your child's awareness of the world around them. It isn’t a standalone piece of learning separate from what they are taught in school or at home; rather, it enriches all areas of their education, sparking meaningful discussions both in and out of the classroom. Exposing our children to both UK and global current affairs is not just about expanding their knowledge of what’s happening in their communities and beyond. It also provides them with a platform to connect with their own culture, heritage, and values. Engaging with global news empowers children to participate in discussions about important issues while fostering a strong sense of pride in their identity.
Engaging with current affairs also helps children articulate their thoughts, feelings, and opinions with clarity, whether in conversations at home or in school. Additionally, regular exposure to the news improves comprehension, introduces new vocabulary, and strengthens literacy skills, laying a foundation for well-rounded development.
You might be thinking, "I don't have the time" or "I don't know where to start," but parenting is also about being resourceful. With access to smart TVs, tablets, phones, or Alexa, a wealth of child-friendly news resources is readily available—all that's required is knowing what to search for!
Here are some useful resources for you and your child to check out:
The Week Junior – A weekly magazine typically targeted for children aged 8- 14 years old, covering the latest news UK based and around the world. It includes articles on science, politics, technology and the environment as well as fun activities.
CBBC Newsround – Is a UK based news program and website offering daily news covering world news, science, sports and entertainment in a child friendly format. This is typically targeted for children aged 8- 14 years old.
The Day – This is a subscription based educational resource that provides daily news stories that are child friendly, this is designed for schools but also available to families. Currently 7 days of free access to all resources is available!!
Wellbeing and the news- The Guardian have put some free resources together to help balance the news stories that are overwhelming with some good news to support the wellbeing of our little ones.
The Guardian Foundation- Lists child friendly news sites
Twinkle- Top Ten Resources To Teach Your Children About The News. This is a subscription based educational resource and offers a free trial period.
Reputable platforms, like those mentioned above, offer a safe and regulated environment where children can explore these topics with emotional sensitivity, ensuring they have a secure space to learn and grow. By guiding them through current events with care and intention, we are preparing our children for the future and nurturing the next generation of leaders, thinkers and change- makers.
References
First News. (n.d.). The Importance of Children Reading the News. First News. Available at: https://www.firstnews.co.uk/talking-points/tips-and-advice/importance-of-children-reading-news/ [Accessed 23 Sept. 2024].