Your 6-year-old asks why some children don't have homes. Your teenager sees footage of conflict zones on social media and feels helpless. Your 10-year-old wants to know why their classmate's family came to the UK as refugees.
These moments can feel overwhelming—but they're also opportunities. When children ask difficult questions about poverty, war, climate change or inequality, they're showing natural empathy and curiosity about the world. How you respond shapes not just their understanding, but their sense of agency and hope.
At Save the Children, we've spent more than 100 years working alongside children in over 110 countries—from conflict zones to communities facing poverty, from emergency responses to long-term education programmes. We've seen how early conversations about fairness, kindness and shared humanity create adults who take action, build bridges and refuse to look away from injustice. Here's how you can nurture that quality at home.
Why Teaching Children About the World Builds Resilience
Parents often worry that discussing global problems will frighten children. Research suggests the opposite is true when done thoughtfully.
A 2023 OECD study on global competence found that young people who engage with global issues demonstrate 40% stronger critical thinking skills and greater emotional resilience than peers who don't. They're better equipped to handle complexity, collaborate across differences and find solutions to problems.
According to UNICEF's 2024 report on child wellbeing, children who feel connected to causes larger than themselves report significantly higher life satisfaction and lower anxiety—even when they're learning about difficult realities. The key is balancing awareness with agency: helping children understand challenges while showing them pathways to contribute.
The Children's Society's Good Childhood Report 2023 reinforced this, finding that children who believe they can make a difference—through small actions like fundraising, volunteering or advocating—score 30% higher on wellbeing measures.
The message is clear: we don't protect children by shielding them from reality. We protect them by equipping them with knowledge, empathy and tools to respond constructively.
Five Evidence-Based Strategies for Parents
1. Start Age-Appropriate Conversations Early—and Follow Their Lead
You don't need to wait until secondary school to discuss poverty, displacement or injustice. Even preschoolers grasp fairness ("Everyone should have food") when concepts are simple and concrete.
For children aged 3 to 7: Use stories as entry points. Books like The Boy at the Back of the Class (about a refugee child adjusting to a new school) or Last Stop on Market Street (about community, gratitude and difference) introduce complex ideas gently without overwhelming.
When your 5-year-old asks why a character doesn't have a home, respond with: "Some families don't have enough money for a house. That's not fair, is it? That's why people like us try to help by sharing what we have—donating clothes, raising money for charities, or making new neighbours feel welcome."
For children aged 8 to 12: Connect global issues to their daily experiences. If they're learning about climate change, discuss how cycling to school, reducing food waste or choosing reusable water bottles contributes to solutions. The UK government's climate education toolkit offers age-appropriate activities.
When discussing conflicts or crises in the news, acknowledge emotions first: "It's normal to feel sad or worried when you hear about this. Let's talk about what's happening and what people are doing to help." Then provide context without graphic details.
For teenagers: Encourage critical analysis. When they encounter news about global events, ask: "What do you think caused this? Who's most affected? What would you do if you were in charge?" Research from the University of Cambridge Centre for the Study of Global Human Movement shows that adolescents who analyse complex issues develop stronger civic engagement and leadership skills.
The NSPCC's guidance on talking to children about difficult topics emphasises following your child's cues—answer what they've asked without overloading them, and check in regularly as they process information.
2. Expose Children to Diverse Perspectives Through Everyday Choices
Empathy grows through exposure. Children who regularly encounter different cultures, languages and experiences develop broader worldviews and stronger social skills.
This doesn't require expensive travel—it starts with intentional choices in your community and home.
Make diversity visible in your media diet. Choose films, TV programmes and books by creators from different countries and backgrounds. UNICEF's global children's literature recommendations include stories that centre voices often missing from mainstream publishing.
Explore food as a gateway. Cook meals from other countries together, using it as a conversation starter. Preparing a Syrian dish opens discussions: "This is a traditional recipe from Syria. Millions of Syrian families—including many children—have been forced to leave their homes because of war. Charities like Save the Children provide food, shelter and schools for children affected by conflict."
Seek out community connections. Attend cultural festivals celebrating Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year or other traditions. Many UK cities host events where your family can meet people from different backgrounds, try new foods and learn through experience rather than abstraction.
A 2024 study in Developmental Psychology tracked 800 children over five years and found those with regular cross-cultural interactions scored 30% higher on empathy assessments and demonstrated greater comfort with difference than peers with limited exposure.
3. Model the Values You Want to Instil
Children absorb values by watching adults more than listening to them. If they see you taking action—however small—on issues you care about, they'll internalise that problems have solutions and individuals have power.
Show them generosity in practice. Donate to charity and involve your children in reading the impact your donations has. Discuss how the monthly contribution helps provide healthcare, education or emergency support. This makes abstract concepts like international development tangible and personal.
Volunteer as a family. Help at local food banks, charity shops or community gardens. According to NCVO's Time Well Spent report (2024), families who volunteer together report stronger relationships and children show increased social awareness and leadership skills.
Make ethical choices visible. When shopping, explain decisions: "We're choosing this brand because they pay farmers fairly" or "We're buying second-hand to reduce waste." These everyday moments teach that small choices accumulate into meaningful impact.
Share your own learning journey. Tell your children when you've changed your mind about something, learned about a culture you didn't understand, or realised you held an inaccurate assumption. This models intellectual humility and shows that understanding grows over time.
4. Answer Difficult Questions Honestly—Without Overwhelming
When your 8-year-old asks "Why are some children poor?" or "Why do people have wars?" your response shapes their understanding of how the world works and whether problems can be solved.
Acknowledge the question seriously. "That's a really important question. Let's think about it together." This validates their concern and positions you as a thinking partner rather than someone with all the answers.
Provide age-appropriate honesty. "Wars often happen when governments or groups disagree strongly about how a country should be run, and sadly children get caught in the middle even though they have nothing to do with the conflict. That's why organisations like Save the Children work to protect children during emergencies—providing safe spaces, medical care and education even in dangerous places."
For questions about poverty: "Sometimes families don't have enough money because they lost jobs, or because they live in places where it's hard to find work, or because the cost of housing and food is too expensive. It's not their fault—it's a problem societies need to solve together. We can be part of that solution by supporting charities and speaking up for fair policies."
Connect knowledge to agency. After explaining a problem, always offer a pathway: "Some children your age raise money for causes they care about. Would that be something you'd be interested in?"
Watch for signs of distress. If your child seems anxious or upset, reassure them: "This is difficult to think about, but remember there are millions of people working to help, including doctors, teachers, aid workers and charities. You're safe, and when you're older you can choose how you want to contribute to making things better."
5. Balance Awareness with Hope—and Celebrate Progress
Constant exposure to crises without context can create despair. Frame global challenges as problems people are actively solving, with measurable progress already achieved.
Highlight change-makers. Share stories of young activists like Greta Thunberg (climate action) or Malala Yousafzai (girls' education) who've influenced global policy. These examples prove that individuals—even children—shape history.
Celebrate tangible progress. Explain that child mortality has been cut in half since 1990 because of vaccinations, clean water programmes and improved healthcare—proof that collective action works. UNICEF's data shows millions more children now attend school, survive preventable diseases and live free from extreme poverty than a generation ago.
Make your family's contributions visible. If you reduced household food waste this month, frame it as contributing to global food security. If your teenager organised a bake sale for a charity, acknowledge their impact: "You raised £150 that will provide school supplies for children in refugee camps. That's real."
Support child-led initiatives. When young people want to fundraise or advocate, facilitate it. Head to our The Fun Raisers page to find out more how to turn concern into action.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start teaching my child about global issues?
As early as they start asking questions—often around age 3 or 4. Use simple language focused on fairness and kindness: "Everyone deserves food, a home and to feel safe." You can build complexity as they grow.How do I explain poverty without making my child feel guilty or scared?
Frame it around solutions and agency, not blame: "Some children don't have enough money for school supplies because their families face difficult situations—maybe they lost jobs or had to flee their homes. That's why charities and kind people help. Our family can help too by donating things we don't use anymore or raising money." Emphasise that poverty results from circumstances, not personal failure.What if my child becomes anxious or overwhelmed?
Limit exposure to graphic news imagery, especially for younger children. Focus on actionable steps: "We can't fix everything, but we can do our part." Reassure them that adults—including aid workers, doctors and governments—are working on these problems. If anxiety persists, speak with your GP or school counsellor.My teenager sees disturbing content on social media. How should I respond?
Acknowledge what they've seen without dismissing it: "That footage is very distressing. It's real, and it's understandable you're upset." Discuss the context, talk about who's responding and how, and set boundaries around doomscrolling. Encourage constructive outlets like advocacy or fundraising if they want to channel emotions into action.How can I teach these ideas without spending money?
Use free resources like library books, BBC documentaries, museum virtual tours and government educational materials. Conversations, modelling empathy and volunteering time cost nothing. Many cultural festivals and community events are free to attend.Won't this just make my child sad about the world?
Research shows the opposite—children who understand challenges alongside solutions feel more empowered, not less. What creates helplessness is exposure to problems without context or pathways to contribute. Frame difficulties as solvable, highlight progress already made and show how they can participate as they grow.
What You Can Do Today
Start one conversation. Pick a topic relevant to your child's current questions or interests and explore it together using age-appropriate language.
Choose one book or film that exposes your family to different perspectives. Visit your local library or search for recommendations from UNICEF or literacy organisations.
Make one visible choice. Volunteer for an hour, donate unused items or donate to charity. Involve your children in the decision so they see values in action.
Create one tradition. Perhaps a monthly "global dinner" where you cook food from a different country and learn about its culture, or a quarterly volunteering outing as a family.
Small, consistent actions build a foundation. You don't need to overhaul your parenting overnight—incremental changes create lasting impact.
How Save the Children Helps Families Raise Compassionate Children
For more than 100 years, we've worked alongside children in the UK and worldwide to ensure every child survives, learns and is protected—even in the most challenging circumstances.
Our programmes reach children affected by conflict, poverty, disasters and displacement. We provide healthcare, education, protection and emergency relief in over 110 countries. We also advocate for policy changes that improve children's lives and uphold the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)—the international agreement that every child has rights to survival, development, protection and participation.
When you support Save the Children—whether through donations, fundraising or advocacy—you're part of a global movement creating lasting change. Last year alone, we reached 12.5 million children with our programmes.
Your conversations at home, combined with collective action through organisations like ours, build a generation that refuses to accept injustice as inevitable. Together, we're creating a world where every child has a safe, healthy childhood and the opportunity to thrive.
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