The program with the mouse gives parents important information on how the Ukraine conflict can best be brought closer to children.
Cologne – Even for adults, the Ukraine conflict* with the concentrated amount of daily horror reports is difficult to bear, let alone understand. How might it be for the youngest in our society? The fact is: Children must not be left alone during these times. But how do you explain the Ukraine war to them?
The possibly best-known German children’s program now has an answer for this. The show with the mouse also gives tips on Twitter on what children can do when everything is getting to be too much for them.
| Show with the mouse | |
|---|---|
| first airing | March 7, 1971 in German |
| manufacturing company | West German Radio Cologne |
| episodes | over 2300 |
Ukraine conflict: How do you talk to children about the war?
“On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Russian soldiers to attack neighboring Ukraine,” the child-friendly overview of the show begins with the mouse. It is succinctly explained here that Russia broke a rule that many countries around the world had agreed on. Despite disputes, no country should attack another. It then goes into more detail about Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the response to it.
The information page also addresses the urgent questions, and not just the small ones: Do we have to be afraid of a war in Germany too? The mouse’s answer: “Many experts are convinced that we don’t have to worry for the time being”. In addition to tips on how children can help and get involved, the mouse also explains in a checklist via Twitter what children can do if the war news gets too much for them.
Ukraine war: The program with the mouse gives children tips
- Tip 1: News breaks are important.
- Tip 2: Write down your worries and talk about them with others.
- Tip 3: Singing out loud can help fight anxiety.
- Tip 4: Use emergency services such as telephone counseling if everything is getting to be too much.
Ukraine conflict: how to talk to children about the war
In an interview on radio station WDR5, mouse moderator Ralph Caspers* also dealt with the question of how best to bring children closer to the Ukraine war. Of course, it depends on the individual child, he explains. In principle, it is important to explain “it honestly and in clear words”. One should not go too far, but respond precisely to the child’s questions. Because: If a child wants to know more, then it will continue to ask, according to Caspers. “At some point it’s good and then there are no more questions and then you have to accept that as a parent.” (Sophia Lother) * hna is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
You can now place it anywhere and take photos with it: the 3D mouse. The Kassel advertising agency Machbar designed, programmed and put online the new edition of the cult figure “Show with the Mouse”.*
